Livingston v. . Gordon

[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *Page 138 There can, we think, be no doubt as to the validity and legality of the bequest made by the testator which is the subject of this controversy, and the only question presented is as to the construction to be placed upon the language employed and the terms and conditions upon which the bequest was made. By the will of the testator he gave to his executors the sum of $32,000, in trust, to invest the same and pay over the interest to the New York Home of the Blind, so long as that institution should maintain and care for William Gordon, who is stated to be an inmate of the same; and in case he shall be cared for during the balance of his natural life, then the principal sum was to be paid to the institution. In case the society ceased to exist or to maintain an institution suitable for the care of the blind during the life of Gordon, then the income was to be paid to any other society that would maintain and care for Gordon, which he might select, and the principal should be paid to such society as should at the death of Gordon be supporting and maintaining him. Although Gordon was an inmate of the institution at the time of the making of the will, he had left at the time of the testator's death. The will speaks from the latter date, according to a well-settled rule of law, and it must be construed having in view the purpose designed to be accomplished. The intention of the testator evidently was to accomplish two objects: first, the support of Gordon; and second, to make a bequest to the institution for the benevolent purposes for which it was organized and carried on. These were co-ordinate and of equal consequence in his mind, and both are to be attained if practicable. The statement in the will that Gordon was *Page 141 "an inmate of the institution" alone is of no importance if the testator's intention can otherwise be carried into effect. The words employed were merely intended as a designation of the beneficiary and were not a condition of the bequest. If Gordon had left without cause, prior to the testator's death, certainly it could not affect the right of the society to the legacy if it was willing to conform to the conditions imposed by the testator. The whim and caprice of Gordon could not control the right to the legacy; and, unless there was a refusal to support him, and to comply with the requirements of the testator after the bequest was known to the society, the right to the same remains unaffected. The legacy is not bequeathed to Gordon solely, and he has only an interest in it to the extent of a support for life, which consists in the performance by the society of the obligations required by the testator's will. His right, then, is not in any sense to the legacy, but his claim is upon the society; or if it fails to conform to the requirements of the will, upon such other society as may be substituted in its place. The society is entitled to the income, and in conformity with the will must maintain Gordon, not from the income derived from the legacy, but out of such funds as it may have from all sources of revenue. These remarks bring us to a consideration of the question whether the society has failed substantially to comply with the terms imposed by the testator, or done any act which forfeits its right to the legacy. Upon learning of the provisions of the will through the medium of its proper officer, Gordon was notified in writing that the society was ready and willing to care for and maintain him at its institution or elsewhere during his life, in conformity with the will of the testator. We think the expulsion of Gordon prior to the death of the testator has nothing to do with the right of the society after his death, and the real question is whether it was since then and at the present time it is ready and willing to accept the legacy. We do not deem it necessary, therefore, to inquire whether the expulsion of Gordon was or was not without sufficient cause, and it is enough to say that when the society ceases to *Page 142 support Gordon and to carry out the benevolent object of the testator in this respect, it will be time to consider whether it has forfeited all right to claim the benefits of the legacy in question. And until this period arrives, it must be held that its right to receive the interest is clear and beyond any question. It evidently intended, by the notice given to Gordon, to obviate objections of all kinds, for it virtually agrees to support him at any place which may be reasonably designated. The terms of the bequest do not require absolutely and unequivocally that the institution shall maintain and support Gordon within its own precincts; but if for any sufficient reason he cannot conform to the rules and regulations, he may, within the terms of the notice given to him, select some other institution or place at its expense and thus be cared for and supported. Gordon has a right to return and become an inmate of the institution; and while he is bound to observe all reasonable rules of the "Home," if for any just cause this cannot be done, he may be maintained at its expense in some other similar institution. If he chooses to refuse to accept the offer to maintain him, and to be absent without cause, it does not take away the right to the legacy. (Hogeboom v. Hall, 24 Wend. 146; Jackson v. Wight, 3 id. 109.) The maintenance of Gordon is a condition appended to defendant's right to receive the legacy and the income, and if the society fail to perform what is reasonably demanded in this respect, and willfully or unjustly refuse to render the support required, or impose any unjust, onerous or improper conditions or restrictions, such conduct would necessarily forfeit its right to the legacy. There must be a reasonable, fair and substantial performance of the condition; and when this is done it is sufficient. (Tanner v. Tebbutt, 2 Y. Col. 225; Roper on Legacies, 767.) It may also be remarked that by the acceptance of the legacy by the society it became lawfully bound to support Gordon (Gridley v. Gridley, 24 N.Y. 130; 2 Redf. on Wills [2d ed.], 304); and this without regard to the condition whether the *Page 143 income is sufficient for that purpose (Smith v. Jewett,40 N.H. 530); and however burdensome. (2 Redf. on Wills, 304.) The support of Gordon at the "Home" of the defendant is a condition to be performed after the acceptance of the bequest; and while a beneficial interest is given in the legacy, it is required that Gordon should be maintained. His maintenance is a condition subsequent; and when it becomes impossible to perform such a condition, the estate will not be defeated or forfeited. (Martin v. Ballou, 13 Barb. 135; Dommett v. Bedford, 6 Term R. 684; Finlay v. King's Lessee, 3 Pet. 346, 374.) In such cases the estate continues the same as if no condition was attached. If Gordon refuses to return and live at defendant's institution or to be provided for according to the offer made to him, thus rendering it practically impossible for the society to bestow upon him the benefits intended by the legacy, it cannot affect its right to the same. The reasonable and true construction of the condition of his support is, that the testator only intended that he should be maintained there if he so desired, and that he was not absolutely bound to live there. In the latter case, however, it was not designed that his refusal, which renders a strict performance impossible, should deprive the society of the legacy. These views lead to the conclusion that the devise to the defendant was valid in law and that it has not been forfeited, and it remained vested in the defendant until an absolute failure to support Gordon as required, in case he was willing to be supported, or until the society shall cease to have a lawful existence or to maintain an institution suitable for the care of the blind during the life of Gordon. A further result also follows, which is that the defendant, St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, has no interest in or right to the legacy in question. Nor has Gordon any right of selection under the circumstances existing, or any claim upon the legacy otherwise than herein stated. The time has not arrived when he is entitled to exercise any such right, and his choice is of no avail. Nor is it essential, in the present aspect of affairs, that any provision should be made in anticipation of *Page 144 the society for any reason ceasing to support Gordon during his life, as in such a contingency ample relief could be obtained as already indicated. We have given due consideration to the various points and suggestions made by the several counsel, and we discover no occasion to change the judgment of the Special Term, except that portion of it which makes a final disposition of the principal of the fund, and directs that in case the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind shall during the life of William Gordon be not supporting and maintaining, or be unwilling to maintain and support him at its own institution or elsewhere at any time during his natural life, the executors shall pay the balance to the residuary devisee. No facts appear which require any such provision to be made, and it will be sufficient to make such a disposition of the fund when rendered necessary by the happening of the contingency which requires it, and until then it is not authorized. In this respect the decree should be modified; and otherwise it must be affirmed, and neither party should have costs as against the other upon this appeal.