Scott v. Bryan
Scott v. Bryan
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The general rule in determining the validity of the execution of powers is that the intention of the donee to execute is the turning point. Such intent will not be presumed from the mere grant of a larger estate than the grantor possessed, but it may be gathered from such grant coupled with other evidence
But there is another ground on which the execution of the power must also be sustained. The grantor in the deed had no estate which she could convey, and therefore her deed could not be made operative except as an execution of the power. Under all the cases this is conclusive evidence of her intent to exercise the power: Wetherill v. Wetherill, 18 Pa. 265; Bingham’s App., 64 Pa. 349.
The land was devised to Mrs. Scott “ as her own separate estate.” This- is sufficient to indicate the intention of the testator. In Jamison v. Brady, 6 S. & R. 466, it was held that the words “for her own use” created a technical separate use, Tilg-hman, C. J., saying, “ The addition of the words for her own use is tantamount to saying, not for the use of the husband, because if it was for his use it could not be for her own use.” The only reasonable interpretation therefore of the testator’s use of the words “her own separate estate,” is that he intended to create the estate technically known as one in trust to her separate use. Where such intent is clear no particular form of words is necessary: Heck v. Clippenger, 5 Pa. 385; Steinmetz’s Est., Duffield’s App., 168 Pa. 171. Such an estate is not alienable by deed of the cestui que trust, even with the joinder of her husband: Hays v. Leonard, 155 Pa. 474; Lewis v. Bryce, 187 Pa. 362. Mrs. Scott’s deed to McCoy, therefore, could have no legal effect except as an exercise of the power under Linhart’s will, and this as already said brings it within the settled rule that sustains the intent to execute the power.
Judgment reversed and judgment directed to be entered for the plaintiff on the case stated.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John Scott, of Joanna F. Scott, and J. M. Shields v. Sallie D. Bryan
- Cited By
- 6 cases
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- Published
- Syllabus
- Powers — Will—Deed—Exercise of power. The general rule in determining the validity of the execution of powers is that the intention of the donee to execute is the turning point. Such intent will not be presumed from the mere grant of a larger estate than the grantor possessed, but it may be gathered from such grant coupled with other evidence of intent, such as a description of the subject of the power sufficient to identify it. Testator gave to his niece ‘ ‘ as her own separate estate ” certain real estate for her life, with the power to sell at any time, and give a good fee simple deed therefor.” Subsequently the niece executed a conveyance of the property in fee with general warranty. No reference was made in the deed to the power, but the will containing the power was mentioned in the recital of title in the deed. The niece had no other real estate. Held, (1) that the deed itself with its recitals evinced an intent to execute the power; (2) that the fact that she had no other real estate was conclusive evidence of her intent to exercise the power; (3) that she took a separate use trust under her uncle’s will which she could not convey away, and that therefore her deed could have no legal effect, except as an exercise of the power. Trust and trustees — Separate use trust — Intention—Gift. Where the intent to create a separate use trust is clear no particular form of words is necessary. A gift to a married woman of property “ as her own separate estate” creates a separate use trust.