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Law of Wills, 2016A

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The district court did not approve the final report and ordered the executor to file a revised report.<br />

The court determined that although Marguerite may have intended the 1996 payments to be charged<br />

against the bequests in her will, the language <strong>of</strong> the will did not make any reference to<br />

advancements. The court concluded the $5,000 check to Mary must be considered a gift, and that<br />

she was entitled to $10,000 from the estate under the terms <strong>of</strong> the will. The court stated:<br />

To allow the check to be considered as an advancement without any reference in<br />

the Will to possible advancements would be tantamount to treating the check as<br />

a codicil to the Will without proper execution and attestation required by Iowa<br />

law.<br />

The executor filed a motion to reconsider. The motion raises for the first time the doctrine <strong>of</strong><br />

satisfaction. The district court discussed two cases, Heileman v. Dakan, 221 Iowa 344, 233 N.W. 542<br />

(1930) and Rodgers v. Reinking, 205 Iowa 1311, 217 N.W. 441 (1928), and found they were<br />

distinguishable on the facts. The court denied the motion to reconsider. The executor now appeals.<br />

II. Standard <strong>of</strong> Review<br />

This case was tried in equity. See Iowa Code § 633.33 (2005). Our review is therefore de novo Iowa<br />

R.App. P. 6.4. In equity cases, especially when considering the credibility <strong>of</strong> witnesses, we give<br />

weight to the fact findings <strong>of</strong> the district court, but are not bound by them. Iowa R.App. P.<br />

6.14(6)(g).<br />

III. Advancements<br />

Generally, the rules concerning advancements apply only when a person dies intestate. See Iowa<br />

Code § 633.224; Harper v. Coad, 191 N.W.2d 682, 687 (Iowa 1971). When a decedent has a will, the<br />

language <strong>of</strong> the will controls the disposition <strong>of</strong> the estate. In re Estate <strong>of</strong> Francis, 204 Iowa 1237, 1242,<br />

212 N.W. 306, 308 (1927). Whether advancements will be charged against a beneficiary’s share<br />

depends upon the language <strong>of</strong> the will. In re Estate <strong>of</strong> Morgan, 225 Iowa 746, 747, 281 N.W. 346, 347<br />

(1938). Marguerite’s will did not provide that advance payments would be charged against a<br />

beneficiary’s share. Therefore, the doctrine <strong>of</strong> advancements does not apply.<br />

IV. Ademption by Satisfaction<br />

The executor raises the alternative theory <strong>of</strong> ademption by satisfaction. As noted above, the law<br />

regarding advancements generally only applies in cases <strong>of</strong> intestacy, “but the doctrine <strong>of</strong> ademption<br />

[by satisfaction], though strictly speaking applying only to personal property or to legacies, is<br />

resorted to carry out the apparent or presumed intention <strong>of</strong> a testator....” In re Estate <strong>of</strong> Mikkelsen,<br />

202 Iowa 842, 846, 211 N.W. 254, 255 (1926). The term “ademption” generally applies to a specific<br />

legacy, while “satisfaction” is applied when the legacy is general. In re Estate <strong>of</strong> Keeler, 225 Iowa 1349,<br />

1354, 282 N.W. 362, 365 (1938). A legacy is the testamentary disposition <strong>of</strong> personal property. Iowa<br />

Code § 633(25).<br />

The doctrine <strong>of</strong> ademption by satisfaction is explained as follows:<br />

When a general legacy is given <strong>of</strong> a sum <strong>of</strong> money without regard to any<br />

particular fund, and thereafter testator pays this legacy to the legatee or advances<br />

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