Ikegami Electronics USA, Inc. v. Baumann

Opinion

SONENSHINE, Acting P. J.

The son and grandsons of decedent Leola Baumann challenge a court order determining, upon principles of collateral estoppel, that certain property purportedly owned by Leola at her death was joint tenancy property and thus not subject to testamentary disposition. We conclude the court erred, as a matter of law, in failing to find the joint tenancy had been effectively severed during the decedent’s lifetime and, accordingly, reverse.

I

In July 1980, Leola purchased a condominium in Fullerton. After making a down payment of $20,000 towards the $81,500 purchase…