Glover v. Stillson

| Conn. | Jul 6, 1888

Carpenter, J.

This is a suit to obtain a construction of the will of Abel Stillson. By it he disposed of his property, after a small legacy to a cemetery association, as follows:

“ Second. I give, devise and bequeath the residue of my estate, both real and personal, unto my sisters Polly A. Stillson and Mary B. Stillson, for the term of their natural lives, hereby empowering my said sisters to dispose of any portion of my estate, either real or personal, if they should so desire.

“ Third. After the decease of both of .my said sisters, I give and bequeath to each of the children of my nephew, John P. Stillson, now residing at Hartland, Vt., the sum of one thousand dollars absolutely.

“ 2. 1 give and bequeath to my nephew, Frank A. Still-son, now residing at Rutland, Vt., the sum of one thousand dollars after the decease of my said sisters Polly A. Stillson and Mary B. Stillson.

“ 3. All the residue of my estate, both real and personal, I give, devise and bequeath unto the Bridgeport Protestant Orphan Asylum, located in the town of Bridgeport, Fair-field County, Connecticut, after the decease of my said sisters.”

The first question for our consideration is—What estate do Polly A. and Mary B. Stillson take in the real and personal property of the testator under the will? Is it a life estate or an estate absolute and in fee ?

In behalf of the executors, and of the devisees and legatees of the remainder, it is contended that they take a life estate only. In behalf of Mary B. Stillson, the surviving sister, it is contended, either that the whole will is void or that the sister’s take a fee.

The several provisions of the will aré distinct and independent. The gifts to the cemetery association, to the children of John B. Stillson, and to others, are clear and direct, and entirely free from uncertainty or ambiguity. They do not depend upon the estate given to the sisters otherwise than that they are postponed until the termination of that estate. That being so, there is no ground on which we can hold them to be void. The only element of uncertainty is that which attaches to the provision for the sisters. If that should be declared void perhaps the other provisions in the will would take immediate effect; and we suspect that that is a result which the counsel who make the claim do not contemplate and do not desire. The doubt or uncertainty is not of such a nature as to require us to pronounce any portion of the will void.,

We now come to the main question—does the second clause give a life estate or a fee ? There are two methods of construing wills: one is to ascertain the intention of the testator and give effect to that so far as it is consistent with the policy of the law. Within those limits all artificial rules of construction must yield to the intent. The other is to apply legal rules and construe the language used accordingly. In the latter case it cannot be denied that the intention of the testator is often defeated. This case affords an excellent illustration. We are asked-to say as matter of law that the power of sale enlarges an express life estate to a fee. If we do so what becomes of the intention of the testator? His intention to give pecuniary legacies to the parties named and the residue to the orphan asylum, is just as certain and, we may add, just as provident, as the intention to provide for his sisters; and that intention, by the construction contended for, is wholly defeated. The power of sale may, in doubtful cases,- aid in ascertaining the intention; but to give it an artificial and technical force and thereby defeat the manifest intention of the testator, is wholly inadmissible. Clearly this is not a case where the power of sale will convert an express life estate into a fee. Lewis v. Palmer, 46 Conn., 454" court="Conn." date_filed="1878-10-15" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/lewis-v-palmer-6580836?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="6580836">46 Conn., 454; Stuart v. Walker, 72 Maine, 145; Walsh v. Woodbury, 144 Mass., 542" court="Mass." date_filed="1887-05-20" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/welsh-v-woodbury-6422481?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="6422481">144 Mass., 542.

The answer to the first question is that the sisters took a life estate.

2. Is the power of the said Polly A. and Mary B. to dispose of the real and personal estate under the will limited to a life interest in the property or does it extend to a fee so as to defeat the legatees in remainder ?

The language is explicit and comprehensive—“ anyportion of my estate.” The power of sale is not limited to the life interest or income, but extends to the principal, so that a proper exercise of the power will convey to the purchaser a fee. Lewis v. Palmer, supra; State of Connecticut v. Smith, 52 Conn., 562.

3. Could the power to dispose of such interest be exercised by them separately during the lifetime of both, or must they join?

The will is silent as to the purpose for which the power of sale is given, and as to the disposition to be made of the proceeds. It will hardly be presumed that the testator intended that the sisters should take a fee in them, and it does not seem to be a case in which the testator is providing for a possible deficiency in the income to suitably support the life tenants. The sale does not depend upon their needs, but upon their desire. The ordinary provision that the principal may be used for their support, if necessary, is wanting. The estate is considerably over $13,000, and there is no intimation that the income is not ample for their wants. The life tenants are simply authorized to change the investments if they so desire; and we do not feel justified in so construing the will as to give them a greater power. It is not unlike the case of an ordinary power committed to two or more persons, not coupled with an interest. All must join in executing the power unless the words used indicate a contrary intent. A contrary intent does not appear in this case. The power is joint and not several; therefore the joint action of the two is required.

4. This practically answers the fourth question, that the power must be executed by deed and not by will.

5. It also answers the fifth question in the negative, that is, after the death of one the survivor cannot dispose of the whole or any portion of the estate.

6. What portion does the surviving sister take under the will—the whole or half?

The devise is to his two sisters by name “ for the term of their natural lives;” and in disposing of,the remainder, he prefaces the first item with the words, “ after the decease of both my said sisters ”; and in each of the remaining items he repeats, “after the decease of my said sisters.” We think the words of the will fairly import an intention that the estate should continue until the death of the survivor.

7. In any event can the said Polly A. and Mary B., or the survivor, take or use anything-but the income of the estate passing to them under the will?

Polly A. Stillson being dead, this question, so far as it relates to both sisters, is purely speculative, and requires no answer. So far as the survivor is concerned, it is practically disposed of in our answer to the third question. The survivor having no longer the power to sell, the que'stion can never arise.

The Superior Court is advised to render judgment aceordingly.

In this opinion the other judges concurred.