ESTATE OF MARTHA L. BARKER.
No. 6744--Nov. 30, 1875.
WILL.--OLOGRAPHIC.--SIGNATURE. THE LAW IN FORCE AT
TIME OF DEATH EFFECTUAL. A will executed
before the passage of the law permitting olographic
wills by a testator dying during a period when such law was in force is valid,
if olographic.
THE SIGNATURE TO AN OLOGRAPHIC WILL need not be at the
foot of the instrument.
OTHERWISE, as to a will attested by witnesses.
Construing
sections, C. C., 1276-7; C. C. P., 1309, 1940.
Maurice B. Blake, for
proponent.
The paper offered for probate was written by
deceased, dated January 1, 1870, and was not witnessed. It was written in pencil on two leaves of a
memorandum book, and was not subscribed at the end. The name of the deceased appears only in the
caption or commencement of the paper.
Her decease occurred subsequently to the passage of the present statute
relative to olographic wills.
BY THE COURT:
Although by the law in force at the time of execution of this paper, it
was invalid as a will, witnesses being required, the law existing at the time
of the death must govern, under which the execution was sufficient, witnesses
to an olographic will being unnecessary. The name of the testatrix in the introduction
is "signing"; it is not necessary that it be subscribed at the
end. The requirement of subscription at
the end applies to wills not olographic. Such paper must appear on its face to be a
completed instrument, which is the case in this instance.
Transcribed
by Sue Wood.
© 2007 Sue Wood.
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