In re the Estate of Rothschild

12 Mills Surr. 288, 86 Misc. 364, 148 N.Y.S. 368

Opinion

Fowler, S.

The executor of decedent’s estate and the comptroller of the state by their attorneys have filed a stipulation consenting that the surrogate determine the issue of the decedent’s last domicile upon the proofs taken before the transfer tax appraiser. The evidence before the transfer tax appraiser conclusively shows to my mind that the domicile of the late Charles A. Rothschild at the time of his death was in France. His household and household effects were maintained in France continuously since the year 1905, when he abandoned his prior domicile in New York sine animo revertendi. Since 1905 Mr. Rothschild lived only in France. Both the animus and the factum elements of a domicile in France are amply established in this instance by uncontradicated testimony. The fact that the attorney or even the executor was under a misapprehension at an earlier stage concerning Mr. Rothschild’s last domicile is of no consequence. The principle of a decedent’s domicile is not affected by estoppels against others, nor are the allegations of personal representatives conclusive on an issue of last domicile of their testator. Matter of Grant, 83 Misc. Rep. 257, 260. I find that decedent was last domiciled in France and that an order should be entered remitting the report herein to the appraiser for further report by him in accord with this decision.

Decreed accordingly.