Minonk State Bank v. Grassman,

447 N.E.2d 822 (1983)

Facts

Real estate was conveyed to Gustav, Agnes, Ida, and Frieda Grassman as joint tenants. Gustav and Frieda died. This left Agnes and Ida (D). D executed and recorded a deed which conveyed the land from herself as grantor to herself as grantee for the sole purpose to dissolve any and all rights of survivorship. Agnes had no knowledge of this deed. Agnes died, and Minonk (P), the administrator of the estate filed an action seeking a declaration that Agnes was a 1/2 owner of the property in question. The circuit court ruled that D was the sole surviving joint tenant. P appealed. The appeals court reversed.