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Rhoads v. Hughes

Citations: 80 S.E.2d 259; 239 N.C. 534; 1954 N.C. LEXIS 394Docket: 161

Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina; February 24, 1954; North Carolina; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Jurisdiction to construe a will arises only when its language is uncertain, vague, ambiguous, or conflicting, which creates doubt about the testator's true intent. If the will's language is clear and has a recognized legal meaning, no construction is necessary. In this case, the court determined that the language of the will was clear, establishing that the feme plaintiff, who survived the testator, became the owner of the property in fee simple, subject only to a prior life estate granted to her mother. The judgment of the lower court is affirmed.

Legal Issues Addressed

Affirmation of Lower Court's Judgment

Application: The higher court affirmed the decision of the lower court as the will's language was deemed clear and unambiguous.

Reasoning: The judgment of the lower court is affirmed.

Clear Language of a Will

Application: The court found that the will's language was clear, thereby establishing the feme plaintiff as the owner of the property in fee simple, subject to a life estate.

Reasoning: In this case, the court determined that the language of the will was clear, establishing that the feme plaintiff, who survived the testator, became the owner of the property in fee simple, subject only to a prior life estate granted to her mother.

Jurisdiction to Construe a Will

Application: The court determined that since the will's language was clear and had a recognized legal meaning, there was no need for judicial construction.

Reasoning: Jurisdiction to construe a will arises only when its language is uncertain, vague, ambiguous, or conflicting, which creates doubt about the testator's true intent.