Darling v. Mattoon State Bank

The facts show that Mrs. Chase made an arrangement whereby she retained dominion and control of the certificate during life. She died retaining title to it, so there was no gift inter vivos. Her attempt to dispose of it after death fails because not in accordance with the statute relating to wills. The case falls under the principle announced in Warsco v. Oshkosh Sav. & T. Co. 183 Wis. 156, 196 N. W. 829, and is ruled by it.

If a person could lawfully direct payment of debts after death out of property owned by him at the time of death it would result in an annulment of the law of wills and…