Leonard v. Wren

184 Iowa 1339

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: December 14, 1918
• Status: Published

Opinion

Evans, J.

The real objective of the present suit is to obtain a decree holding void a deed of real estate, on the ground that it was wholly testamentary in character, and conveyed no present interest. The deed was delivered and recorded in 1886. It contained the following reservation:

“This deed is not to take effect during the lifetime of either of the grantors, but after the death of Thomas- Leonard and Mary Leonard, then this deed to vest complete title in Thomas Wren,” etc.

Thomas Leonard died in possession, in 1915. The plaintiffs’ claim of invalidity is based upon the proviso here quoted.

The question thus presented -has been before us in somewhat varying form in several previous cases. These cases have all been reviewed by us in the recent case of Shaull v. Shaull, 182 Iowa 770. It will be noted that, in the Shaull case, we have receded from the holding in some of our previous cases.

The holding in the Shaull case is decisive of the case before us. The decree of the district court is, accordingly,— Affirmed.

Preston, C. J., Ladd and Salinger, JJ., concur.