Greenwalt v. Keller
Greenwalt v. Keller
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
A suit to quiet title to the real estate in controversy was commenced by Mary Greenwalt in the district court of Smith county against N. E. Keller and'wife. The defendants demurred to the petition, and the court sustained the demurrer. Judgment was entered for costs against the plaintiff, who brings the case here for review. The sole question decided by the trial court, and the only one presented here, is, What estate did Eliza Bunt take under the will of her husband, William Bunt — a. life-estate merely, or a life-estate with the power of disposition? If she had the power to convey the fee in the real estate during her life, then the plaintiff has full title to the property and is entitled to the decree prayed for. If the widow took a life-estate merely, then, she having died before the commencement of this suit, the lands revert to the heirs of William Bunt, as provided by the will.
It is apparent from the will itself that the testator was unable to express his wishes in clear and accurate
The judgment of the district court is reversed, with instructions to overrule the demurrer and proceed with the case in accordance with the views herein expressed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Mary Greenwalt v. N. E. Keller et ux.
- Cited By
- 15 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- syllabus BY the court. Wills — Estate Demised. A will contained the following clause: “First, I wish my wife, Eliza Bunt, to have all my property of every kind that I may own at my death, to have for her own use and benefit while she may live. And at her death all property that may be left by her” — then follows a disposition thereof. Held, that the widow took a life-estate, with power of disposal in fee.