Brinson v. Sandifer
Brinson v. Sandifer
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
T. C. Gatlin owned the land in controversy, and executed, his wife joining, an instrument in which he says: “I hereby
The purpose of the paper was manifestly to convey the property, and the use of .the words “I will” at its conclusion does not destroy it as a conveyance. It is not attested as a will, and therefore void as such. It is acknowledged as a deed, eo nomine. The first part has the conveying clauses, and we decline to vitiate it as a conveyance and destroy the clear intent by making it a hybrid, half deed and half will, because of the misuse of a technical word. Clearly it passed immediate title, and was not intended to take effect after death. This instrument is within the exception allowed in sec. 2436, Ann. Code 1892. It is a conveyance to a “succession of donees then living and to the heirs of the body of the remainderman.” It gives the property to Mrs. Gatlin for life, then to Mrs. Brinson for life, then to her children, who are the heirs of her body, in fee. Banking Co. v. Field, 84 Miss., 647, 37 South. 139.
Reversed, and decree here dismissing the hill.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Sarah E. Brinson v. Mary Sandifer
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Wills. Deeds. Construction. Will or deed. A writing, not attested as a will, but acknowledged as a deed, conveying a life estate, followed by the words “I will” a second life estate to a daughter, and providing that after the death of the daughter the property “goes to her children and their heirs and assigns forever,” is not a will but a deed to the second life estate as well as to the first one. 2. Land and Conveyances. Code 1892, § 2436, Succession of donees. Under Code 1892, § 2436, so providing it is competent by deed to convey lands to a succession of living donees, not exceeding two, and to the heirs of the body of the remainderman, and in default thereof to the right heirs of the donor in fee simple.