This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Mary Ryan made three joint deposits in different banks in Massachusetts in the names of Mary Ryan, and Patrick Walsh (her brother) payable to either or the survivor. The monies were taken from a joint account that she had established with her sister (Catherine Reigle) with instructions to distribute the money to various relatives. Reigle did not know of the monies being taken from the accounts. Ryan was basically a lying cheapskate who took charity from friends while claiming poverty. Mary died on December 25, 1939, and the estate disputed the ownership of the three accounts. The trial court ordered the deposits paid over to the estate to be paid to the relatives listed in the instructions from Mary Ryan and Patrick appealed. The amount of the deposits was $15,000.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.