183 N.C. 588 | N.C. | 1922
after stating the case: Under the will of B. J. Fisher, deceased, the property in controversy being a portion of that “situated in America” is devised to his wife for life, or until her remarriage, with a contingent remainder to their children, and to the children of those who had married and died leaving children prior to the time for the vesting of this estate or interest, which is the death or remarriage of the wife. This is held to be the proper construction of the will in Thompson v. Humphrey, 179 N. C., 44, where the question is directly presented and determined. "While the judge, in one place in that opinion, refers to the interest of these children as a determinable fee, this is evidently a mere inadvertence, and both the reasoning in the case, the authorities cited, and the direct and controlling expressions in the body of the opinion, clearly show that the interest of these children during the life, or until the remarriage of their mother, is but a contingent remainder. Cilley v. Geitner, 182 N. C., 714; Rees v. Williams, 164 N. C., 128;
“Proceedings to have lands sold that are subject to a life estate, with limitation over, on contingencies which will prevent the ascertainment
“The provisions of Laws 1905, ch. 548, requiring that the proceeds of the sale of land under the statute, where the remaindermen of contingent interests cannot be ascertained in the lifetime of the first taker, shall be reinvested in realty within two years, was removed by Laws 1907, chs. 956 and 980, leaving the matter of reinvestment somewhat in'the discretion of the court, with the clear intimation that the reinvestment in realty should be made when an advantageous opportunity should be offered.”
“In proceedings under the statute (Pell’s Revisal, sec. 1590; C. S., 1744) to sell lands held in remainder, upon contingencies rendering the remaindermen incapable of present ascertainment, etc., the necessary parties defendant are those of the remaindermen who, on the happening of the contingency, would have an estate in the property at the time of action commenced, and those remotely interested to be represented and protected by a guardian ad litem, as the statute provides.”
“Pell’s Revisal, sec. 1590; C. S., 1744, providing for the sale of land affected with certain contingent interests does not in its terms or purpose profess or undertake to destroy the interests of the contingent remainder-men in the property, but only contemplates and provides for a change of investment, subject to the use of a reasonable portion of the amount for the improvement of the remainder, properly safeguarded,' with reasonable provision for.protecting the interest of the unascertained or more remote remaindermen by guardian ad litem, etc., and is constitutional and valid.”
And.in the opinion in McLean v. Caldwell, supra, the Court said: “From a perusal of these cases, and the authorities cited therein, it will clearly appear: (1) That on the facts presented the court had full power.to order a sale for reinvestment under the statute; (2) that the same can be effected by private negotiations, subject to the approval of the court, when it is properly made to appear that the best interest of all the parties so require. This was the course pursued and directly approved in Lawson’s case, supra; (3) that ordinarily, and. on the facts of this record, the purchaser is not charged with duty of looking after the proper disposition of the purchase money, but when he has paid his bid into court, or to the parties authorized to receive it by the court’s decree, he is 'quit of further obligation concerning it.’ ”
Pursuant to these statutory provisions and with the purpose, as stated, of procuring further assurance of the title in question, Mrs. Fisher and her children and the purchasers under the deed, and with the interest of the more remote remaindermen protected by guardian ad litem duly
We find no error in the present record, and judgment of the court that the defendant go -without day is
Affirmed.