Court Opinion

ID: 9707412
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 02:10:58.344831+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:32.330090
License: Public Domain

*629CONCURRING OPINION
Achor, J.
The majority opinion as written in this case contains the following statement: “According to the great weight of authority the devise of a ‘home’ includes not only the testator’s dwelling house but the entire parcel of real estate constituting the residence estate. City of Richmond v. The State (1854), 5 Ind. 334, (347). See also Note, 12 A. L. R. 1179.” It is true that the above cited case quotes language from an early English case which is adequately comprehensive to support such a conclusion. However, the quotation used in the above case was merely cited to support the actual conclusion of the court that there being no evidence to the contrary “the inference is that he (the testator) intended that the whole lot should pass by the word ‘house.’ ” This, I believe, correctly states the rule of law in Indiana.
Also, the majority opinion fails to cite a significant circumstance which, in my opinion, indicates that the testator intended that the portion of the garage occupied by the appellants should pass with the entire tract described by decedent as her “home.” It occurs to me that the meaning given the word “home,” as used in another part of the will, is most indicative of the intention of the testatrix. Elsewhere in her will testatrix, in connection with a discussion regarding the future use and occupancy of the property as it related to appellants, made the following statement: “I authorize my executors to keep such of the above help in my home as they deem necessary, permitting them to live there rent free, and pay them such salary as may be suitable to their respective duties.” According to the stipulation of facts appellants had resided in the apartment over the garage for a period of over 41 years. It occurs to me that by the above statement *630regarding appellants living in her “home” that she considered the garage apartment as part of her “home,” and that she intended the devise of her “home and residence located at 1006 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana,” to include her house and all the appurtenances thereto; that the entire property was intended to be devised as a unit, with the “wish” that in event the property continued to exist as a unit and as a home for needy women of Marion County, that appellants “be permitted to live in their quarters over the garage, on said premises . . . rent free,” but not otherwise.