In Re Estate of Sims

Quare: In the state of Washington, does a bequest and devise to one spouse contained in the will of the other lapse when the beneficiary predeceases the testator?

Joseph L. Sims died January 15, 1949, leaving his entire estate to his wife, Dorothy. She died April 16, 1949, leaving a will executed November 19,1942, whereby she bequeathed and devised all her property to her husband, Joseph, with no residuary clause. Their estates were probated together.

Dorothy’s heirs-at-law, a brother, half brother, and two half sisters, claim by virtue of the laws of descent and are the appellants here.…