In Re the Termination of Joint Tenancy of Sinclair

Mrs. Jane Sinclair, the widow of Ronald Sinclair, deceased, appealed to the District Court of the Eighteenth Judicial District from a determination by the Department of Revenue (Department) that inheritance tax was due as a result of transfers in contemplation of death. The District Court affirmed the Department’s determination. We reverse the District Court.

Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, husband and wife, had a joint tenancy bank account for many years. Mr. Sinclair became ill. Mrs. Sinclair withdrew $55,000 from the account, and obtained one $5,000 joint tenancy Federal Credit Bond with one sister…