Clark v. Allen

331 U.S. 503 (1947)

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Clark v. Allen

United States Supreme Court
331 U.S. 503 (1947)

  • Written by Whitney Kamerzel , JD

Facts

Alvina Wagner, a resident of California, died and, by will, gave her real estate and personal property to German family members living in Germany. Wagner’s California heirs (defendants) challenged the distribution because a California statute prevented a distribution of California property to non-U.S. citizens unless the non-U.S. citizen’s country reciprocally allowed a distribution of property to U.S. citizens. The Alien Property Custodian (the Custodian) (plaintiff) took title to the German family members’ interest in Wagner’s property and sued the California heirs for a determination that the California heirs were not entitled to Wagner’s property. The district court granted the Custodian’s judgment on the pleadings, and the court of appeals reversed. The Custodian appealed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Douglas, J.)

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