This appeal presents the question whether the will of C. W. Chandler passed to his wife Mazelle a fee simple or a life estate in certain assets.
The provision in question reads as follows: “I bequeath to my wife, Mazelle M. Chandler, my entire estate, and desire that she act as administratrix (sic) of my estate being excused from making bond, or andy (sic) report to Ordinary Court or any other Court. I further desire that at her death, that my estate go to our son Mose G. Chandler, to Administer with freedom from making report to Ordinarys (sic) Court or any other Court: With the exception listed in Item #4 below.”
In the construction of a will, the cardinal rule is that the court must diligently search for the intent of the testator. Code Ann. § 113-806;
Morton v. Murrell,
The evidence supported the trial court’s finding that testator intended that his wife take a fee. The word “desire” expressed only the hope of testator that Mazelle would consider the son.
When a testator devises a fee interest, the court will not by construction reduce that estate unless language of limitation unmistakenly indicates the intent of the testator to reduce or limit the fee.
Johnson v. Johnson,
The trial court’s judgment that the testator devised his entire estate to his wife Mazelle in fee simple must be affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.