222 Mass. 291 | Mass. | 1915
This is an information in equity brought in the Supreme Judicial Court at the relation of the Treasurer and Receiver General under St. 1909, c. 490, Part IY, as amended by St. 1912, c. 678, § 1, to recover a succession tax. The case comes before us on a reservation made by a single justice,
The record shows the following facts: That Elizabeth M. Clark, the deceased, and Mary M. Clark, the defendant, were sisters living together in Waltham in this Commonwealth on the real estate hereinafter referred to; that these sisters, being tenants in common of the real estate so occupied by them, obtained title thereto by inheritance, and also by deed from a third heir; that on November 11, 1907, they conveyed the real estate to a third person, and on the same day their grantee re-conveyed the estate to them as joint tenants; that at different times since November 11, 1907, these sisters purchased with funds, of which each of them contributed one half, certain securities consisting of stocks and bonds which were all issued to them as joint tenants. These securities were kept in their joint possession until the death of Elizabeth, since which time such possession has continued in Mary, the survivor. It is also agreed that on or about January 2, 1908, these sisters opened two accounts in the Springfield Institution for Savings, one in the name of “Either Elizabeth M. Clark or Mary M. Clark, or the survivor of either,” and the other
1. There can be no doubt that, after the transfer of the real estate and the issuance of the securities to these sisters in the manner above described, they thereafter held and owned such real and personal estate as joint tenants with all the incidents wlfich govern such a tenure, including that of survivorship; and we think that the same is true as to the deposits in the savings bank. The words of survivorship, employed when the deposits were made and thereafter were held by the bank, were apt and sufficient to create a joint tenancy, and such obviously was the intention of the parties, especially when considered in connection with the estate in joint tenancy created by them in the real estate and the securities. The record shows that no withdrawals were made unless for their joint benefit, and it fairly may be inferred from all the facts and attendant circumstances that it was agreed between the sisters that neither of them should withdraw any of the deposits except upon their joint account and for their mutual use and benefit. Nor is this conclusion affected by the fact that either might have withdrawn the deposits contrary to such an agreement and thereby have destroyed the joint tenancy. A joint tenant, as an incident of his tenure, always may terminate the joint tenancy by transfer or conveyance of his interest. A joint tenancy is not confined to real estate, but may exist also in personal property. Phelps v. Simons, 159 Mass. 415. Boland v. McKowen, 189 Mass. 563.
2. The record shows that these two sisters intended to create an estate in joint tenancy both as to the real and the personal estate. They were equal owners in the real estate when their holdings therein were changed from that of tenants in common to joint tenants; so, too, each contributed one half of the pur
We are of opinion that the contract between the parties creating a joint tenancy in the property in question cannot be held under the circumstances to be a voluntary gift without consideration and so liable to a succession tax.
3. The only question remaining is whether an interest in property which, upon the death of one joint tenant passes by right of survivorship to his co-tenant, so passes “by the laws regulating intestate succession” within the meaning of the statute. St. 1909, c. 490, Part IV, § 1. In ascertaining the intent of the Legislature in construing this statute, the established rules of construction are to be applied.
In Martin L. Hall Co. v. Commonwealth, 215 Mass. 326, 329, it was said: “Tax laws are strictly construed. If the right to tax is not plainly conferred by the statute it is not to be extended by implication.” The statute under consideration authorizes the imposition of an excise tax. It is so imposed not only upon the right of the owner of property to transmit it after his death, but also upon the privilege of the beneficiary to receive such property. Attorney General v. Stone, 209 Mass. 186, 190. Minot v. Winthrop, 162 Mass. 113, 122, 124. The statute does not in express terms authorize the taxation of the interest accruing to a surviving tenant upon the termination of a joint tenancy by the death of
The descent and distribution of estates is regulated by statutes enacted from time to time and amended whenever deemed expedient. We think that the “laws” regulating intestate succession mean the statute laws relating to the descent and distribution of mtestate estates, and do not include the succession of property wMch passes under the rules of the common law. Jomt tenancy arises under the common law, and the doctrme of survivorsMp thereunder grows out of the application of common law principles wholly independent of statute. Joint tenants hold under the conveyance or mstrument by wMch the tenancy is created. See In re Headen’s estate, 52 Cal. 294; Adams v. Akerlund, 168 Ill. 532; Matter of Klatzl, 216 N. Y. 83. See also Palmer v. Treasurer & Receiver General, ante, 263.
Mary M. Clark and her sister Elizabeth as joint tenants held under a tenure which would give the survivor the whole if there was no alienation thereof by either party. Upon the death of Elizabeth, Mary, as her survivor, took the whole estate, not by descent as the heir at law of her sister or under the laws regulating mtestate succession, but as the sole surviving jomt tenant.
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, let the entry be
Information dismissed with costs.
Pierce, J.