Court Opinion

ID: 9728408
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:07:18.263022+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:48.445461
License: Public Domain

FOSHEIM, Justice
(concurring specially).
In my opinion, the facts in this case distinguish it from Nelson v. Nelson, 293 N.W. 2d 463 (S.D.1980). Here the deed contained no reservation of a life estate in the grantor and her continued acts evidencing ownership could therefore be consistent only with a position of passing no present interest or right. The instrument was accordingly an attempted testamentary disposition notwithstanding, it was denominated a deed and was a deed in form. Trumbauer v. Rust, 36 S.D. 301, 154 N.W. 801 (1915). Likewise, if it was in fact not intended as a deed, delivery will not thereby make it a deed. Kenobbie v. Krause, 67 S.D. 331, 292 N.W. 873 (1940). A grant cannot be delivered to the grantee conditionally. It must be absolute. SDCL 43-4-8.
We cannot say in this case that the evidence clearly preponderates against the finding of the trial court as to the intent of the grantor. Kenobbie v. Krause, supra; Stalting v. Stalting, 52 S.D. 309, 217 N.W. 386 (1927).