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Property Law Keyed to Smith
Lawyers Trust Company v. City of Houston
Facts
W.T. Carter Lumber & Building Company (Carter) executed an instrument that allowed several tracts of land to be used for public purposes in the City of Houston (Houston). The instrument stipulated that if the tracts of land were not being used for the public after 25 years, title for the tracts would return back to Carter. Before the end of the 25 years, the tract was being used for the public until Lawyers Trust Company (Lawyers Trust) acquired Carter’s interest. Lawyers Trust sued Houston regarding who ownership of the tract reverted back to. The trial court granted judgment to Lawyers Trust, and the appeals court reversed. Lawyers Trust appealed.
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