Williams v. Estate of Williams

G.A. Williams's will gave a joint lifetime interest in his farm to his three unmarried daughters, including Ethel Williams (plaintiff), because they had stayed home caring for their ill mother. The will barred selling the farm during the sisters' lives, provided that each sister's interest would end on marriage and pass to the others, and disinherited anyone who contested the will. None married, and Ethel lived on the farm until her two sisters died. She claimed a fee-simple interest; the trial and appellate courts agreed, finding each daughter held a one-third fee-simple interest. Other heirs, including Etta Tallent (defendant), disputed that.

Whether a person given a joint lifetime interest in land by will holds a life estate rather than a fee-simple interest once the other joint holders die.