Cannon v. Owens

In 1948 Mary Vannatter paid $4,000 for fifteen acres of land and had the deed made to herself for life with remainder to the
appellants, who are Mrs, Vannatter's daughter and son-in-law. After the life tenant's death the appellants brought this suit
to quiet their title as against the appellees, Mrs. Vannatter's other heirs. As defenses to the complaint the appellees asserted
(a) that the appellants furnished none of the consideration paid to Mrs. Vannatter's grantor, (b) that the appellants were
named as remaindermen in return for their promise to support Mrs. Vannatter for the rest of her life, an obligation that was
not fulfilled, and (c) that the appellants obtained their interest by duress and undue influence. The chancellor sustained
the first of these defenses and therefore declined the appellees' offer of proof on the other issues. [224 Ark Page 615]