Fairbank

Security First National Bank v. Fairbank

Good Law
1965 Cal. LEXIS 240·42 Cal. Rptr. 13·62 Cal. 2d 213·397 P.2d 1005
Supreme Court of CaliforniaJanuary 15, 1965L. A. No. 27733California1,511 words

Opinion

lead Opinion

Traynor, J.

Robert T. Fairbank appeals from a decree of final distribution of the estate of Mary Mason. The testatrix devised her home and most of its contents to Robert’s mother if she outlived the testatrix and if not, then to Robert. Robert’s mother predeceased the testatrix.

*215 Several years after executing her will, the testatrix became mentally incompetent, and the Security First National Bank was appointed guardian of her estate. With the approval of the court the guardian sold the testatrix' home and kept the proceeds of the sale, approximately $21,000, in a separate account. It spent all but $556.66 of this account to support the testatrix, who died without regaining competency.

The trial court decreed that there was a partial ademption of Robert’s gift to the extent the proceeds from the sale of the testatrix ’ home were spent during the guardianship and therefore ordered that only the unexpended proceeds, $556.66, be distributed to him. It ordered distribution of the remainder of the estate, $6,808.08, to the residuary legatees, who are respondent Katherine McKenna, a friend of the testatrix, and eight nieces and nephews.

Robert contends that, in the absence of proof that the…

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