In re the Estate of Bogan

Court: New York Surrogate's Court
Date filed: 1927-03-17
Citations: 129 Misc. 119, 221 N.Y.S. 604, 1927 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 762
Copy Citations
1 Citing Case
Lead Opinion
Evans, S.

The last will and testament of the above-named decedent contains a residuary clause naming several beneficiaries described as brothers and sisters of the testator. This is followed by the following words within parentheses: “ (an equal share being given or set aside for and held in trust by my executors for the son and daughters of my brother Edward A. Bogan, deceased).”

The executors have applied to the court for a construction of this last provision.

Page 120
While it directs the shares of the nephew and nieces to be “ held in trust ” by the executors I think that it is clear that no valid trust was created.

In order to create an express trust in property certain elements are necessary.

1. There must be a designated beneficiary.

2. There must be a designated trustee who must not be a beneficiary.

3. There must be a fund or other property sufficiently identified to enable title thereto to pass to the trustee.

4. There must be the actual delivery of the property or a legal assignment thereof to the trustee with the intention of passing title to him as trustee. (Hodgman v. Cobb, 202 App. Div. 259; Brown v. Spohr, 180 N. Y. 201.)

In this instance there is no express gift to the executors and no directions for them to apply the income to the use of any one. (Snedeker v. Congdon, 41 App. Div. 433.)

It follows that the language used by the testator created no trust but an absolute gift.

I, therefore, hold and decide that the son and daughters of Edward A. Bogan, deceased, are entitled to the immediate possession of their respective shares of the property under this will.

Decreed accordingly.