State v. Ray

Rosenberry, J.

The question presented is one of law, namely: whether the inheritance tax imposed by sec. 72.01, Stats., applies in this case. The answer to that question is, in part at least, dependent upon the question of whether or not estates by the entirety exist under our law.

In Wallace v. St. John, 119 Wis, 585, 97 N. W. 197 , decided November 17, 1903, where the whole subject matter is thoroughly reviewed, it was held- that estates by the entirety could not be created under our law since the enactnqent of the Revised Statutes of 1878, for the reasons there given. No useful purpose will be served by rediscussing the matter at this time. In other jurisdictions a different conclusion has been reached. Bertles v. Nunan, 92 N. Y. 152 ; Diver v. Diver, 56 Pa. St. 106; Fisher v. Provin, 25 Mich. 347 .

It is argued here that because the conveyance in question created an estate by the entirety subsequent to the enactment *182 of the Married Woman’s Property Act, the decision in Wallace v. St. John, supra, does not apply. This argument overlooks the fact that the conveyance under consideration in Wallace v. St. John made the grantees therein tenants by the entirety at common law to the same extent as if it had been therein expressly -provided that they should so hold. That was the legal effect of the conveyance. Estates by the entirety arose not by reason of the form of the conveyance but because of the status of the grantees. ,It having been held that under the provisions of the Married Woman’s Property Act she might convey property conveyed to herself and husband, such provision operated to destroy the common-law basis of estates by the entirety, that is, the oneness in law of husband and wife. 2 Bl. Comm. 182. ' Under the Married Woman’s Act -she now has the power to convey her interest, and that power reduces what would be an estate by entirety at common law to a mere joint tenancy.

It seems' too plain for argument thatt, the deceased and Charles Ray being joint tenants, the title to- her interest in the estate w-a-s devolved'upon him by the death of his wife and is therefore liable to taxation under the provisions of sec. 72.01,-S.tats. They were such joint tenants at the time sec. 72.01 wás-énacted. That statute is not retroactive but prospective, and' impairs no constitutional right of the defendant either únder the constitution of this state or of the United States. ' • By the Court. — Order reversed.