Offutt v. Offutt

Citations

• 67 A. 138
• 106 Md. 236
• 1907 Md. LEXIS 80

Syllabus

<p>Husband and wife.— Written Promise by husband in consideration of marriage — Specific Performance.</p> <p>A man wrote a letter to a woman promising that if she would marry him, he would take care of and support her as long as she lived. After their marriage, he made a will leaving all of his property to Her, which, upon his death, was found to be invalid, because not properly attested. Held, that the letter was sufficiently definite and certain to establish a contract to provide for the woman in consideration of marriage, that the wife is entitled to specific performance of this contract against the heirs at law of her husband, and that the case should be referred to an auditor to ascertain from testimony, what sum should be allowed to the wife for her support, regard being had in ascertaining such sum to'the value of the estate of the decedent, and the condition in life of the widow.</p>