Days Estate

55 Pa. D. & C.2d 536, 1971 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 216
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County
DecidedDecember 23, 1971
Docketno. 510 of 1970
StatusPublished

This text of 55 Pa. D. & C.2d 536 (Days Estate) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Days Estate, 55 Pa. D. & C.2d 536, 1971 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 216 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1971).

Opinion

DIGGINS, P. J.,

This case is before the court on exceptions to the adjudication of this court of July 15, 1971. Decedent died December 15, 1969, intestate. He was survived by his widow, Anna T. Days, but was not survived by issue. Decedent was also survived by two half-brothers, Frank Nauss and Robert Nauss, and by a half-sister, Alice M. Jaunich.

On December 20, 1969, decedent’s half-brothers and half-sister each executed a disclaimer and renunciation of their respective rights in decedent’s estate under the intestate laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in favor of decedent’s widow, Anna T. Days. However, the half-sister, Alice Jaunich, and one of the half-brothers, Frank Nauss, subsequently sought to set aside their disclaimers and renunciations, as aforesaid, and a hearing was held on October 27, 1970. At that time, testimony was offered on behalf of the estate in support of the validity of the disclaimers and renunciations, and on behalf of Alice Jaunich and Frank Nauss, challenging the validity of the disputed renunciations and disclaimers. Briefs were subsequently filed on behalf of the parties in support of their respective positions. Frank Nauss and Alice Jaunich also contested the inventory value of a certain [538]*53898 shares of stock in 772 Bar, Inc. This objection was dismissed, and the contestants do not challenge the propriety thereof in the exceptions presently under consideration.

With regard to the former issue, this court, in its adjudication of July 15, 1971, found that “The disclaimer and renunciation executed on behalf of Frank Nauss and Alice Jaunich is ineffective to transfer their interest in the estate of their deceased half-brother to Anna T. Days in light of their subsequent repudiation of the disclaimer and renunciation.” This conclusion was based, inter alia, upon the following findings of fact:

“The disclaiming parties did not know the extent of their interest in the decedent’s estate or the value of the decedent’s estate at the time the instrument was executed.”
2. “No consideration was given for the disputed disclaimer.”
3. “No evidence discloses knowledge upon which a specific intent to make a gift could be formed.”
4. “The parties thought by executing the disclaimer they were abandoning little or nothing.”
5. “Not one cogent reason has been offered to this Court to suggest why this half-brother and sister should be deprived of what the law has declared is theirs, except a writing of rather dubious import or significance.”

This court also found that, as to the other half-brother, Robert Nauss, who, subsequent to a complete disclosure of all relevant facts, nevertheless ratified his act of executing the aforesaid document, that the execution thereof by him was effective as an assignment in favor of decedent’s widow, Anna T. Days, of the share to which he otherwise would have been entitled.

[539]*539Accordingly, it was held that Frank Nauss and Alice Jaunich were each entitled to share in decedent’s distributive estate, such shares being those which these distributees would have received by virtue of the intestate laws of Pennsylvania had the aforementioned disclaimer and renunciation never been executed by them. The widow, Anna T. Days, was awarded a share which was intended to be the combination of the share assigned to her by Robert Nauss together with the applicable widow’s share provided by the intestate laws. The adjudication specified the following awards, viz., to:

“Anna T. Days — $20,000.00 and 5/9th of the balance of principal and income available for distribution.
“Frank Nauss — 2/9ths of the balance of principal and income available for distribution.
“Alice M. Jaunich — 2/9ths of the balance of principal and income available for distribution.”

The adjudication also provided that the administratrix was authorized to make distribution in kind.

Both parties have filed exceptions to the adjudication. We will consider first the exceptions of Frank Nauss and Alice M. Jaunich. These contestants first argue that the share of Robert Nauss, having been renounced and disclaimed, should fall into the general residue and, hence, be divided between the aforementioned contestants. It is difficult to conceive of a more inequitable result. The disclaimer and renunciation executed by Robert Nauss, the validity of which he has supported throughout this entire dispute, clearly and unmistakably is solely “in favor of decedent’s widow, Anna T. Days.” Moreover, the record reveals that the specific intent and purpose of Robert Nauss’ act was to benefit decedent’s widow, and no one else. Therefore, we find that the renunciation and disclaimer of [540]*540Robert Nauss is specifically limited to be in favor of decedent’s widow, is thus an assignment to her of his share and is effective as such. In light of this record, the court cannot and will not permit Frank Nauss and Alice Jaunich to reap an added reward, above their legal intestate shares, by virtue of the ratification by Robert Nauss of the disclaimer in favor of the widow. Accordingly, the contestants’ first exception is dismissed.

The contestants also take exception to the authorization granted to make distribution in kind of the 98 shares of 772 Bar, Inc. They argue that the shares will have little or no value to the heirs as they will be minority shareholders of a going business being operated by the majority shareholders. Hence, they seek distribution to them of the sale value of these shares. We find no merit in this contention. There is nothing unusual about being minority stockholders in a business being operated by the majority stockholders. Moreover, nothing prevents these heirs from selling the shares to any willing buyer, including the majority stockholders. If the heirs fear being mistreated by the majority stockholders, they have recourse to the remedies afforded by the corporation laws. The contestants’ second exception is also dismissed..

The exceptions of the accountant-widow fall into three basic categories. First, there are exceptions to the five basic findings of fact shown here. After a review of the record, we must arrive at the same conclusions as heretofore determined. While some testimony exists which could support the contentions of the accountant-widow, the preponderance of the most credible evidence sustains the findings of fact as per the aforesaid adjudication. Of course, credibility is a matter for the finder of fact, be it judge or jury. Here, we repeat, [541]*541as we said in the adjudication, “we do not believe that the record demonstrates fraud or misrepresentation.” That is not to say that the circumstances under which the signatures of the half-brothers and sister were acquired were not improvident. This court is not unmindful that the uncontroverted testimony of both half-brothers and half-sister is that they were requested to attend the meeting on very short notice, without advance revelation of its purpose, and to come alone, which is to say, without counsel.

This record is utterly devoid of any explanation for the haste with which these heirs were requested to give away legal rights.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
55 Pa. D. & C.2d 536, 1971 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 216, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/days-estate-pactcompldelawa-1971.