Barber v. Powell

This is an equity suit by an 88-year-old widow to set aside a warranty deed to her daughter and son-in-law, reserving a life estate to the grantor, of 80 acres of unimproved farm land in Shelby County. The suit is based on the claim the deed was procured by undue influence of the grantees. Following trial to the court plaintiff was denied relief and title was quieted in defendant-grantees subject to the grantor’s life estate. Plaintiff has appealed.

The case presents largely fact questions. Although our review is de novo we give weight to the trial court’s findings. Groves v. Groves, 248 Iowa…