Legal Opinion
Watson v. Baker
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided June 20, 2005PublishedCited by 7 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtMarshall, C.J.
We consider in this case whether Ruth W. Baker, an adopted child, is a beneficiary of two trusts created pursuant to her great-grandmother’s will for the benefit of the testator’s granddaughters and their “lawful issue.” The statutory rule of construction at the time of the testator’s 1936 death included as “issue” an adopted great-granddaughter only if “it plainly appears to have been the intention” of the testator to do so. G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 210, § 8. St. 1876, c. 213, § 9. Because the intent is not plainly apparent here, we conclude that Baker is not a beneficiary of the trusts. We also…
2Cases cited13 opinions
- Trimble v. GordonSupreme Court of the United States · 1977
- Sewall v. RobertsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1874
- Fiduciary Trust Co. v. MishouMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1947
- Wyeth v. StoneMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1887
- Powers v. WilkinsonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1987
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3Cited by7 opinions
- Ferri v. Powell-FerriMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2017
- In re the Trusts Under the Will of CrabtreeMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2007
- Anderson v. BNY Mellon, N.A.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2012
- Fawcett v. RobbinsDistrict Court, D. Massachusetts · 2007
- Ferri v. Powell-FerriMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2017
2 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.