Neu v. Lessner

Opinion

WORK, J.

When Wilmer Breeden died, his will designated the bulk of his estate to be placed in trust and used to promote the principles of socialism and related causes. Claiming Breeden’s bequest was not intended to be a charitable trust and was not otherwise valid because it failed to designate definite beneficiaries and violated the rule against perpetuities, Breeden’s nephew (Peter Neu) and niece (Nancy Deets) unsuccessfully petitioned to have the trust provision declared invalid and the estate residue given to them as intestate heirs. On their appeal from an order denying the…