Munroe v. Dewey

57 N.E. 340, 176 Mass. 184, 1900 Mass. LEXIS 881

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: May 18, 1900
• Status: Published

Opinion

Holmes, C. J.

This is a bill brought by trustees under a will for instructions whether certain income shall be paid to the legatee or to his trustee in bankruptcy. The income was given to the legatee for life, and the will expressly directs that “ no income or principal shall in any case be assignable or alienable by anticipation, or subject to attachment, levy, or seizure by any creditor of the beneficiary, prior to his or her actual receipt thereof.” Even if this clause attempts to go further than the law permits, its validity with regard to an equitable life estate is settled, as against both attaching creditors and assignees in insolvency. Billings v. Marsh, 153 Mass. 311. The trustee in bankruptcy very candidly admits that he does not think that he can distinguish the decisions or make good his claim. We see no ground for a distinction in the words of the Bankrupt Act, § 70. U. S. St. of July 1, 1898, c. 541; 30 U. S. Sts. at Large, 544. Some matters discussed by the defendant Fitz in his unnecessarily elaborate brief are not open.

Decree accordingly.