Van Houten v. Vorce

Plaintiff filed a bill for specific performance of a parol contract to convey property by will. From a decree for defendants, plaintiff appeals. Plaintiff claims that Mrs. Berneice B. Powers, now deceased, in her lifetime a resident of Grand Rapids, made a contract with plaintiff to leave her real estate and personal property to plaintiff by will. There is no donbt of the power of a court of equity to decree specific performance of such a contract. Such contract must be clearly and satisfactorily proven, and, when contrary to the terms of a will properly executed existing at the time the…