Morse v. United States
Morse v. United States
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court:
The defendants have never questioned the form of this proceeding, and, of course, it is too late to do so now. Mrs. TIine having a life interest in said fund, the son a vested remainder, “subject to open and let in testator’s brothers and sisters and to be devested upon the death of Robert E. Hiñe and remarriage of the life tenant” (United States use of Hine v. Morse, 218 U. S. 504, 54 L. ed. 1127, 31 Sup. Ct. Rep. 37), they were proper parties to act for all interests in the suit for the recovery of the fund, since “parties are sufficiently made when the holder of the first vested estate of inheritance is reached and included.” Story, Eq. PI. sec. 145. When, therefore, the- jury determined that no agreement for the retention of
It is immaterial that interest was figured on two sums aggregating the amount of the fund, since the recovery should have been for that fund, with interest. Nor does it now concern the defendants that the life tenant has been given too much and the remainderman too little, or vice versa.
The point is made in the defendants’ brief that a bar appears on the record to the entry of judgment in favor of Mrs. Hine. Without going into details, it is sufficient to say that it is contended that on the pleadings Mrs. Hine was estopped to deny said alleged arrangement between her and Waggaman. No such contention has heretofore been made, and it is now too late, after this issue of fact was submitted to and determined by the jury, to raise the question.
The judgment is affirmed, with costs. Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.