18Mar

Devise of “Personal Effects” In A Will Held Not to Include Mineral Interests

In re Estate of Ethridge, No. 11-17-00291-CV, 2019 Tex. App. LEXIS 9564 (Tex. App.—Eastland Oct. 31, 2019, no pet.)

In this case, the Eastland Court of Appeals held that a devise of “personal effects” in a will did not include special mineral interests.

Mildred Ethridge died in 1994. In her will, which she drafted without the assistance of an attorney, she recited that the will was “for the purpose of the distribution of my entire estate, real, personal and mixed, which I wish to have take effect at my death.” However, her will contained only two devises: (1) she devised “all my personal effects” to her nephew Davis, and (2) she devised her “residence and homestead” to another person.

The trial court determined that, because there was no residuary clause in the will, Ethridge’s will failed to dispose of the minerals. As a result, Ethridge died intestate as to her mineral interests. Davis, a nephew by marriage, appealed that decision, contending that the term “personal effects” referred to all property of any kind owned by Ethridge and that he was entitled to her mineral interests.

The court disagreed, observing that the phrase “personal effects” has “customarily been defined narrowly as a subset of personal property…generally refer[ing] to articles bearing intimate relation or association to the person of the testator.” As examples, the court cited cases referring to clothing, jewelry, luggage, “toilet articles,” eye glasses, dentures, and “similar chattels.” The court concluded that “Mineral interests do not fall within the typical definition of personal effects.” The court indicated that there was no clear intention in the will to give that phrase any other meaning.

The court acknowledged that the will declared the intention of disposing of all the testator’s property, and indicated that “the mere making of a will is evidence that the testator had no intent to die intestate and creates a presumption that the testator intended to dispose of his entire estate.” However, that presumption “is not strong enough to empower a court to write a residuary clause into a will where none previously existed.”

The appellate court concluded that the trial court correctly determined that Ethridge died intestate as to her mineral interests.

Will Grubb
Will assists clients with complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on oil & gas. Will’s experience includes drafting dispositive motions for matters in state and federal court, handling interlocutory appeals before Texas courts, arguing hearings, providing in-depth legal research, and assisting in other phases of litigation.
Ana Navarrete
Ana specializes in Oil and Gas litigation. Her experience includes matters in South Texas and the Eagle Ford Shale Play in disputes involving title issues, drilling operations between operator and non-operators, royalty underpayment, offset and development, cessation of production and lease termination, among other issues in the upstream oil and gas sector. Ana is also knowledgeable in matters involving state and federal oil and gas regulatory authorities includes agency hearings, examining the scope and limits of regulatory authority and providing advice about how to comply with or seek exemptions to agency rules.
Austin Brister
Austin represents oil and gas exploration and production companies and landowners in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters, including contract and property disputes, royalty disputes, breach of lease cases, lease termination/perpetuation disputes, and an array of other issues in the upstream oil and gas sector. Austin has prosecuted and defended claims in state courts and federal courts. Austin strives to find practical business solutions to complex issues, but if necessary, he works hard to implement effective strategies in the courthouse.
Austin Brister
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