Evening Star Newspaper, May 25, 1929, Page 19

REAL ESTATE. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, P. €, SATURDAY, MAY 25 1929 URGES MAKING WL TOPROTECT HERS Chicago Probate Judge De- clares Many Homes Are Lost by Negligence. Nearly two-thirds of the people who die in this country do not leave wills, and this often causes real estate to pass into the hands of inexperienced people | who dissipate it. This statement was made by the Na- tional Association of Real Estate Boards in a circular urging property owners to make wills to protect the rightful heirs of real estate, As authority for the as- sertion, tRe association quotes Judge | Henry Horner of Chicago. Judge Horner, who has presided over the Probate Court of Cook County, Il for 15 years and handles more estates than any other probate court in the country, has won Nation-wide recogni- tion by inaugurating systems to make his court more efficient, but he wishes for their own sakes that people would dispose of their possessions before they leave the world. . Homes are lost to widows and chil- dren, people whom the dead ought to remember are forgotten, and the very reasons for which property was ac- cumulated are often defeated just be- cause so many people will not take time to draw up a simple piece of paper, says Judge Horner. Estates in Dispute All estates are not necessarily pro- | bated. The estates that take up most of the time of Probate Courts are those where the heirs are engaged in controversy. Frequently difficulties arise where these heirs are minors or in- competents. The heirs of thousands of people, who die without wills, reach amicable settlements among themselves but this does not always mean that the | dead person's wishes are carried out Nearly 40,000 estates are continually in the process of settlement in the Pro- bate Court at Chicago and about 10,000 new estates are filed each year,” it was | stated. “The people who leave these estate: many of which are unwilled.” it w pointed out, also leave situations that often inculcate bitter family feuds and long and expensive litigation. Life s ings are administered by the courts of Probate that do the best they can under the law, but often the cherished desires of the dead die with them. Unwilled real estate. is sometimes left in a precarious situation, points out Judge Horner. “Suppose a man dies and there is not sufficient ‘per- sonalty’ (property other than real estate) to pay his debts. If he has real estate but leaves no will. the law pro- vides that such real estate be sold at public sale in order to satisfv these debts. Such a person, by a will, could empower his executor to sell the prop- erty at a private sale, and possibly thereby obtain 2 much larger price. A public sale might be ordered at once whether or not the market was favor- able, but a private sale. if authorized by will, could be had without delay or technical procedure: or the executor might borrow enough by mortgage on the property to satisfy the debts and thereby save it. Laws of States Differ “The laws covering the disposition | of intestate property differ in the va- | rious states, but in general their pro- visions are much alike. In the state of Tllinois, for example. in the absence of a will, after the payment of debts and the widow's award, if any, one- third of the decea: s property goes to the widow or surviving and. If there is also a child, or children. or descendants of such. one-third woes to | the widow or surviving husband and two-thirds to the child, or children, or the descendants of any child or chil- | ren. If there are no children. or the | descendants of any child or children. If there are no children. then all the ‘personalty’ and one-half of the real estate goes to the widow or surviving husband, and the other half to the next of kin, subject to the widow’s or ;ul;\rm'lnl husband’s dower in that other alf. . “Suppose an estate consists chiefly of s family home and lot and the husband and father of the family dies without a will. His hope that his home might re- main intact for his widow and chil- dren might come to naught by one in- considerate, thoughtless, misguided. or spendthrift older child, or other heir. Such heir could, by ‘partition’ or like proceedings force a sale of the home in order to secure his share of the estate. This would leave the widow and other children homeless with only the portion and this might be directly contrary t what the deccased might have wished and which he could have prevented by will. Had he made a will, knowing the | tendency of his spendthrift, in consid- erate child or relative, he could have | preserved the property intact as the | home of his widow and family. ] “Moreover, such a forced sale might be made at an inopportune time when the realty market is low and the widow ;nd her family would accordingly suf- el It is important that the property owner shall remember that he can leave | his_holdings to whomsoever he wishes, if he makes a will, excpet that he cannot thereby defeat the statutory rights of the widow, points out’Judge | Horner. 1 Plans Die With Owner “One man buys real estate for his present use as a home and alo as a haven for his wife and his children in case of his death. Another man pur- chases land for investment. He har certain ideas for improving it or hold- ing it for enhancement of value. He may even confide these ideas to his wife or to some one else. He has in mind the beneficlary whom he intends shall reap the benefit of his foresight. However, all his planning may have been in vain for he may die before his purposes are accomplished. Some one under the laws of ‘intestacy. if he has | not provided by a will that his plans be | carried on to fruition, may get his property who knew nothing of his am- itions, or knowing them, was not in sympathy with his aims and his vision. ~His plans in such a case will die with him. “A man who has worked earnestly to accumulate property, whether it is little or much, usually has some def- inite_idea as to whom shall be the beneficlary of it after his death. Per- haps he has built up a fortune just for certain person dear to his heart. And he may have a wasteful son or an extravagant daughter whose future he desires to protect. One child may have treated him unkindly or unfairly and there may be another child who has made untold sacrifices for him or ren- dered great devotion to him, or another person may have been much more to him than a son or daughter. If this man dies without a will, the court must follow the provisions of the statute regarding the descent of his property to his legal heirs. And these statutory provisions may not coincide with the sentimental desires of the dead. His neglect to make a will might frustrate his true wishes and deny to those who were worthy of regard a just settle- ment. “A’'man with the strongest affection for his wife may feel that she and his heirs, lacking business foresight, might improvidently handle his property after his death. Women and young people who are left cash, or the power to turn property into cash, too often are prone to finvest in get-rich-quick schemes; this hazard can be provided sgainst by making a will. Pay Lawyer to Draw Will Henry VIII Did Much to Advance Charm of English Homes To Henry VIII we owe much of the charm of the English home of today. Before his reign the Norman architecture, for all its grandeur with flying arches, tur- rets and tall ascending growths, Gothic leaded windows and pan- eled walls, was lacking in the comforts and graces that would prevent it from being austere. ‘The English monarch combed all Europe taking the best from each country, combing the grace- ful Italian fron grill work, the elborately decorated ceilings and beautiful draperies of France and various features from other na- tions to make up what we now look upon as typical English architecture. ‘The nobles of the realm were quick to follow suit and a new mode was established. family but to a trusted employe or devoted friend. He may want to leave his property to charity. These pur- poses can be accomplished by a will or by what is known as a ‘living trust.’ “The man who makes a will can se- TEST SHOWS LACK - OF BUILDING SWAY Virtually Eliminated From New Buildings in Gotham, Report Reveals. Reports that many of New York's skyscrapers sway in a strong wind led | recently to an inwestigation which re- sulted in a report that “increased knowledge of the use of wind-bracing has eliminated all but microscopic sway from virtually all tall buildings erected in Greater New York during the past 10 | or 15 years.” According to Irwin S. Chanin, head of the Chanin Construction Co. of New York, who supervised the investi- gation, most buildings in New York have been erected with super caution |and with ample provision for safe- guarding. Study Rock Structure. | The text of the Chanin report read, | in part, as follows: lect his own executor and fix the execu- | _“Since even a steel building is no tor's eompensation, whether it be an |firmer than its foundations, it is cus- individual or a trust company. In the | tomary in the erection of most large absence of such a provision in a will, | buildings to make elaborate studies of these charges may be higher than the | the rock structure underlying the site,” deceased had in mind although the | said Mr. Chanin. “The first tests are statutes and the court fixes such fees. | made to reveal something of the nature “Above all things, no one unlearned | of the rock to be encountered in ex- in the laws of his state regarding this | cavation and because of previous build- subject or unskilled in drawing wills | ing in the neighborhood give the build- should draft his own will. The only | ers a general idea of the geologic struc- safe procedure is to have a lawyer, ex- | ture underlying the site. When excava- perienced in the law of wills, draw the | tion is completed, or virtually com- will and have him see to it that it is | pleted, elaborate core boring is done. properly signed and attested.” At the Chanin Building the core drills i NIENC ] s BEAUTY CONVE 5101 45th Street N.W. (SAMPLE HOME) To Reach: 1f you have a car, drive out Wisconsin_Avenue to Tenleytown and out River Road four blocks 45th St.. and right to home. you 't—Take any car going aut Wisconsin Avenue to ssenden_ Street, walk west to 45th Street and home. Or Take a Wesley Heights Bus Where else can you buy a ne house affords—and for only $8,950 If you are interested Open Daily From 9 AM. 10 9 PM. If you are interested i | were sent down for a depth of about 50 | feet below the lowest point of exca | tion. The rock taken from these | ings was studied by all engineers and | then was filed away as a part of the | geological record of Manhattan Island. | The borings at the Chanin Building indicated that it stands on a granite ledge that is literally the backbone of the island. | “Another point of control for the | safety of a building is in the footings. | Below the level of general excavation | holes approximately 10 feet square are | dug further into the rock. These holes | are sent down until a solid rock struc- ture is reached. Then they are filled with concrete and become the bases for the steel grillages, which in turn sup- | port the columns. Obviously thes | footings, because of their tremendous | weight, must rest on solid rock and | such is their importance that it is a control point for inspection by the | building department as well as the | building engineers. At the Chanin | Building the rule was that inspections of each footing was made by the | Chanin engineers, the structural en- gineers and the consulting engineers, |as well as the representative of the building department. Instead of agree- | ing to a majority opinion on each foot- | Ing, the adverse opinion of one indi- | vidual was held sufficient, in the in- terests of safety, to justify the | additional expenditure of thousands of structure which he was finally willing to approve. Rigidity Most Essential. “Since rigidity is the quality most | essential in a steel-frame structure, | many tests are made during the erec- | tion of a skyscraper to make certain that the building is proof against sway from any cause whatsoever. As a building rises and before its steel frame has received the additional | which results from the pouring of the concrete arches and floors, the steel is carefully watched when the derrick, | used to hoist the columns and beams, | is in operation. A steel derrick, which has a compara- E CHAR All these refinements for *8,950 w brick and stone residence with as many refinements and convenient installations as this 4 This exhibit of one hundred new ideas in home making—de- lightful livable brick and stone residences—and artistic crea- tions in interior decoraton and arrangement. The house proper consists of six fine rooms, concrete front porch, double rear porches, tile bath with built-in tub, a conven- tently equipped kitchen, many closets, hardwood floors through- out, tasteful decorations and fixtures and a garage. in saving money n making money You Must Visit This Exhibit Home SHANNON . & LUCHS 7 Deciding Factors for Home in = ROCK CREEK PARK " ESTATES J‘J Number Five Exclusive Type Homes N announcing the fact that Wil- The 7 Home Features f ROCK OCREF,I\’ PARK ESTATES 1 Pride in Your Ad- * dress. Over 100 Acres Cer- tified Against Be- coming “Citified.” 1% Miles Fronting Rock Creek Park. Protective Restric- tions Safeguarding Investment. Exclusive type homes by Wm. P. Lipscomb Company. Every house custom- _ built and approved by jury of architects. City’s most beautiful approaches—via 16th Street or Beach Drive through the Park. liam P. passed on by Board. fine homes and your home manently enhan sentiment. direction is you 4 You Enter the Estates af 16th Street and Kalmia Road Estates. Lipscomb Co. actively engage in building in Rock Creek Park Estates, you are assured that their substantial class of craftsmanship is best fitted to carry out the execution and com- pletion of the homes after they are will our Architectural The work of these pre- eminent builders of embassies and is in spirit with the master craftsmanship we have em- ployed in developing each and every stage of this property. Here your surréundings will be ever inspiring a possession per- cing in value and The very fact that you drive out 16th Street Sundays because you feel beauty will be found in that r assurance of de- light in a visit to Rock Creek Park ] Office on Property, 1603 Kalmia Road T'elephone Main 5700 for an Inspection Appointment Edson W, Briggs Owners 1001 15th St. at K “A man without surviving wife may Co. dollars in sinking the footing to a rock ; bracing ! tively small base, rests directly upon |closed and the windows are in place, it planks In turn supported by the beams | of the topmost floor. When in place, | absence of sway during a high wind- the derrick Is guyed with steel cables to | Storm. Tests are made in a variety of beams and girders, with the result that | ways. One method is m‘: suspend ? plum] rom a cef as higl any movement of the steel already | BIIMPD DOD rOm % CEINE 1o BIEE U erected can be detected With spirit|the plumb bob is permiited to rest in levels placed on the beams at the time|a vessel of water placed on the floor the derrick is straining under a load of |1, equipped with” tvo vertical spirit, twenty or thirty tons of material. An- sway would be recorded by the levels. other point for safety control in the | Another method is to observe the water erection of a bullding is in constant| in the tanks on the top of the building. | inspection and analysis of the concrete | Since these tanks hold several thou- as the arches and floors are poured. | sands of gallons and are really the tips “When a tall building has been en- | of huge inverted pendulums, any sway — P STV ST WAVERLY HILLS, VA. Priced $7 4 500 Liberal Terms £ New home, 6 rooms, attic, screens, tile bath, hardwood floors; large fireplace; hot-water heat; elec., gas., am.i. Two blocks from busses, elec. cars, school, etc. Drive through Cherrydale to Ray Marcey's store, at top of hill; turn left on Parker Ave., two blocks to Frigate Ave. and house. Come Out Sunday H. L. ENGLAND 923 15th M. 2676 DETACHED CORNER HOME —FRONTAGE OF 105 FT. Beautifully landscaped grounds with immense shade tree and wooded background. One Square From Car Line ONLY #£12,750 Seven rooms—open fireplace—concrete front porch—condition like new—built-in garage. 102 WOOTEN AVE In Friendship Heights, one sq. west of Wisconsin Ave., first street to left beyond District Line A4 Outstanding Home Values! A real opportunity to select a home within your price range at a substantial saving 00000000000 00000000000000000000000000 SEE THESE HOMES TODAY 9000000000000 000000000000000000000000 3208 4509 Park Place N.W. Sth Street N.W. OVERLOOKING PARK PETWORTH HOME 6 ROOMS—3 PORCHES NEAR GRANT CIRCLE An attractive t A splendid Colonial brick brick home of quaint des: home with Mansard roof and with concrete porch, in a front porch, charming ..nblw anm\sc'éur;y 1418 Eye St National 5904 built-in tub and shower, mice reception hall with coat closet, bright kitchen com- pletely equipped, pantry, large cellar with trays and toilet, with space for gai covered rear porch: wood floors and trim, ceiling in dining home can be purchased on and trim. This home ha very good terms. been refinished throughout. $7,950 $8,950 Delafield St. N.W. CORNER BRICK HOME 7 ROOMS—BUILT-IN splendid morthwest community, mear Sherman Circle. Covered front porch, 7 beautiful rooms, including large living room, spacious dining room; breakf Newly decorated, hardwood floors, electricity, hot-water heat, automatic hot-water heater, built-in garage. In splendid condition, all modern improvements. Nice lawn Terms May Be Arranged | REPRESENTATIVES ON PREMISES 00000000000000000600000000000 is customary to verify the supposed |the RRAL ESTATE. uickly would be seen at the sides of | i i i oot s astewers| . Delgisns Wantev. 8. /Car conducted at the Chanin Building dur-| More American automobiles will be ing windstorms and showed a complete sold in Belgium this year than ever he= absence of swa; fore, says Belgian deal Beautiful Shepherd Park Home 1437 Iris St. Just off 16th 19 AN INVITATION Every one enjoys looking at beautiful homes and we want you to inspect this one whether you are in the imme- diate market or not. You will be impressed, we know, not only with the beauty of design and construction of the home, but with the surroundings, outlook and growth of this splendid restricted section. We believe we have the most beautiful and unique eight room and two bath home in Washington for the money and we want you to see it. Drive out 16th, past Alaska Ave. to Iris Street, thence east one house. Open today, Sunday and every afternoon and night till 9 P.M. METZLER Realtor—Exclusive Agent 1106 Vermont Ave. Dec. 58 Sunday and Evenings—-Adams 620. 3506 Quesada St., Chevy Chase, D. C. The 24-ft. living room flanked with its real freplace and built-in book cases, a bright cheery dining room, a library den, first floor lavatory, the kind of a kitchen you see pictured in magazines (and always wished for), the three fine bed- rooms (not the little tiny kind), a modern bath with its built in tub and shower, the rustless screens at every door and win- | dow, the garage in the basement, and the big deep lot all help to make this house a home. It's just one block and a half from th Circle and best of all the price is only— $13,750 To inspect go to Chevy Chase Circle, then east one-half block on Western Ave. to Quesada St. and cast one block to our sign. A FOUR-BEDROOM HOME IN MASS. AVE. PARK » 3111 Hawthorne St. N.W. This is the LOWEST PRICED detached home in Mass. Ave. Park containing four bedrooms. Built by Middaugh & Shannon of brick and stucco construction, slate roof, buslt-in garage, o1l burner, maid's room and screened throughout. Large living room with open freplace and built-in book- casen; Ouk Pooving threughout. To inspect go out Calvere St. and Cleveland Ave. to 33nd, then north one block to Hawthorne St., or go out Cathedral Ave. to 32nd St. and south to Hawthorne St. A Detached Stone Home in Chevy Chase, 3903 Oliver Street—4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Ist FI. Lavatory, 2-car Garage. T oNinchecth 5ok toN CllseyNChes en CireleVuosat Nerchi Western Ave. one-half block to Oliver St. All Houses Open Sat. Afternoon and All Day Sunday 1016 14th St. Main 9080 P water heat, elec street and alley; art 9000000000000000000 GARAGE kitchen and 3 bedrooms. Tiled ba with shrubs, paved street and alley. modern improvement decoration, hardwood fleors 800 An unusual, Colonial type, cornmer brick home in a a tub and shower, la; concrete cellar with laundry trays, $9,950 Owners and Builders of Communities Graham & Ogden Realtors | 313 Woodward Bldg.