ESTATE
OF JAMES McCLOUD.
January 2, 1873
WILL.---Autograph will where
testator died before the authorization of an olographic
will by the C. Code and not attested by witnesses, is a nullity.
BY THE LAW OF WHAT DATE GOVERNED.--The law in force at
the date of the death of the testator governs the formalities of attestation.
Construing section, C. C., 1375
Deceased attempted to make a will in 1866; he wrote
it and signed it with his own hand, but it was not witnessed. McCloud died before Jan. 1, 1873, when the
new codes went into effect. Under the
codes, no witness is necessary to an olographic will;
but under the law as it existed at the death of McCloud, all wills must be
witnessed.
By the Court:
The failure to have the paper witnessed is fatal to its validity as a
will. The law in force at the death of a
person furnishes the rule by which the validity of an alleged will is to be
determined. Probate denied.
Transcribed by Patricia Seabolt & Sue Wood.
© 2007 Patricia Seabolt
& Sue Wood.
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