In Merrick v. Helter, a daughter who accused her father of sexual abuse attempted to void her father’s will based on public policy grounds. No. 03-14-00708-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 8966 (Tex. App.—Austin August 18, 2016, no pet. history). Two days before the father died, he signed a will
will construction
Court Interprets Will’s Residuary Clause To Create A Determinable Fee Simple Estate
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Estate of Morgenroth, a mother died testate with a will that gave specific devises to her two children, a son and daughter. No. 05-15-00777-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 7857 (Tex. App.—Dallas July 25, 2016, no pet. history). The will contained a residuary clause:
All the remaining
…
Court Reverses A Probate Order Requiring An Executor To Distribute Real Property Free Of Any Liens
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Estate of Heider, a probate court ordered that an executor should distribute real property to a beneficiary free of liens. No. 05-14-00436-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 5978 (Tex. App.—Dallas June 6, 2016, no pet. history). The will devised the tract of land to the testator’s son…
Court Holds That Will Did Not Revoke Inter Vivos Trust
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Gordon v. Gordon, a man and his wife executed a revocable trust agreement and began to fund the trust. No. 11-14-00086-CV, 2016 Tex. App. LEXIS 3357 (Tex. App.—Eastland March 31, 2016, no pet. history). The couple later executed a joint will that their son had prepared. The joint…
Court Addresses Common-Disaster Provision In Will
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Supreme Court
In Stephens v. Beard, a husband shot his wife, who died immediately, and then shot himself. He died hours later in the hospital. No. 12-13-00160-CV, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 3895 (Tex. App.—Tyler April 10, 2014), rev’d, No. 14-0406, 2016 Tex. LEXIS 219 (Tex. March 18, 2016). Their wills …