Lightner v. Lightner
Lightner v. Lightner
Opinion of the Court
Opinion,
The scheme of the will in controversy is plain and simple. It gives the testator’s son Horace a legacy of one thousand dollars, and divides all the residue of his estate equally between his sons Horace and Linn. Horace’s share is given absolutely to be paid to him on arrival at the age of twenty-one, with a •conditional devise over in case of death before that time. Linn’s share is given in the following words: “ I desire that my son Linn C. Lightner receive one thousand dollars as soon as he arrives at the age of twenty-one years, and that the re
The learned court below was largely influenced by the consideration that plaintiff liad but a limited interest in the money to be invested in the farm, and an absolute property only in the legacy of one thousand dollars, and that the sums paid for his maintenance during minority should therefore come out of this latter fund. Such a result might have followed had it become necessary to use up the fund for maintenance during minority, but it could not do so until all the rest of the share had been exhausted. As already said the specific gift of the one thousand dollars was the primary and controlling intent of the testator, and must be carried out so long as any portion of the share remains to pay it with. It is only the remainder after payment of this sum that is directed to be invested in a farm.
Nor do we find any difficulty in regard to the income. The gift of the shares themselves is not by way of remainder, or of a future contingent estate, but is, in terms, absolute, present, and immediate — “ it is my will that all the balance of my property be divided equally between my two sons.....in the following manner,” — -and then follows the provision for his son Linn already quoted. In the case of Horace there is a subsequent devise over in the event of his death before reaching the age of twenty-one, but in the case of Linn there is no contin
Judgment reversed, and now judgment for plaintiff on the case stated for $1,000.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- LINN C. LIGHTNER v. SAMUEL R. LIGHTNER
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- (a) A testator by bis will, after bequeathing a legacy of $1,000 to his son H., divided the residue of his estate equally between Ms two sons H. and L., and then, provided: “I desire that my son L. receive $1,000 as soon as he arrives at the age of 21 years, and that the remainder of Ms share be invested in a farm, he, the said L., having full control .....of the farm, aud receiving all.....proceeds therefrom, but not having power to sell,” with remainder to his children. 1. In such case, the testator’s intention was, that upon attaining his majority L. should have $1,000 paid to Mm absolutely, and it was error for the court below to deduct therefrom advances made for L.’s maintenance, by his guardian, from time to time, under decrees of the Orphans’ Court. 2. The remaining gift to L., under the will, was a present and absolute interest for life in the fund, vested upon the death of the testator. The income followed the title and was L.’s absolute property, applicable during minority to Ms maintenance, under direction of the court, but the accumulations payable to him at majority, in addition to the $1,000.