Collins v. Washington Mutual Savings Bank

Appellant Elora Collins, executrix of the estate of Nellie Carlson (Nellie), appeals the trial court's exclusion of the estate from a share in the estate of Carl L. Carlson (Carlson) at final distribution. She contends Nellie's full interest vested prior to Nellie's death. We disagree and affirm the trial court.

Carlson's will provided that Nellie would receive a share in his estate unless she were to "die prior to distribution" of the estate, in which case her share would go to others specifically named. The central question in this case is whether Nellie's contingent share vested prior to…