Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank v. Israel

Laura B. Sims (the testatrix) died in 1931 and in her will, which was probated in the city of Warwick, bequeathed a one-fifth share of the residue of her estate to the Providence Tuberculosis League (the League), a charitable organization. In 1974, when the time arrived for distribution of that share, the League’s charter had been forfeited and it was no longer in existence. Thereupon, Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank, trustee under the testatrix’s will, instituted this civil action for a determination of whether the testatrix had a general or special charitable intent in making the…