New York Probate and Estate Administration Lawyer Blog
A Probate Lawyer said that according to a Kings County Estate Attorney, in a contested proceeding to probate the last will and testament of J, also known as AJ, the objectants appeal, as limited by their brief, from so much of an order of the Surrogate’s Court, Kings Count, dated December 19, 2002, as, upon a decision of the same court, dated October 18, 2002, (a) granted those branches of the proponent’s motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the objections alleging lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, and fraud, (b), in effect, denied that branch of their cross motion which was to compel disclosure, (c) failed to determine that branch of their cross motion which was to compel production of a handwriting exemplar of the testator, and (d), in effect, directed a separate proceeding to aid in the disposition of that branch of the cross motion of the objectant BJ which was to permit her to exercise her alleged right of election.
A Estate Lawyer said that the portion of the appeal which is from so much of the order as failed to determine that branch of the objectants’ cross motion which was to compel production of a handwriting exemplar of the testator must be dismissed, as it remains pending and undecided.
A Kings County Probate Attorney said, the appeal by the objectant BJ from so much of the order as, in effect, directed a separate proceeding to aid in the disposition of that branch of her cross motion which was to permit her to exercise her alleged right of election (see EPTL 5-1.1-A [c] [4]; SCPA 1421) must be dismissed. That portion of the order is not appealable as of right because it does not decide that branch of the cross motion and does not affect a substantial right (see CPLR 5701 [a] [2] [v]), and leave to appeal has not been granted. Any party aggrieved by a decree entered in the relevant proceeding may take an appeal therefrom.
According to a Manhattan Probate Lawyer, the Court agrees with the objectants that the Surrogate’s Court erred in granting those branches of the proponent’s motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the objections alleging lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, and fraud. Due to the lack of certain disclosure, particularly the depositions of the beneficiaries under the will, it was premature to grant summary judgment at this stage of the.
After the Court of its deliberation, it pronounces the following:
Ordered that the appeal from so much of the order as failed to determine that branch of the objectants’ cross motion which was to compel production of a handwriting exemplar of the testator is dismissed; and it is further,
New York City Probate Lawyers ordered that the appeal by the objectant BJ from so much of the order as, in effect, directed a separate proceeding to aid in the disposition of that branch of her cross motion which was to permit her to exercise her alleged right of election is dismissed; and it is further,
Ordered that the order is reversed insofar as reviewed, on the law, the branches of the proponent’s motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the objections alleging lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, and fraud are denied, the branch of the objectants’ cross motion which was to compel disclosure is granted, and the respondent’s time to comply is extended until 30 days after service upon her of a copy of this decision and order; and it is further,
Ordered that one bill of costs is awarded to the objectants, payable by the respondent.
If the constitution of a will is tainted by things that vitiate consent, the same should be denied and the laws for intestacy must be ordered. However, in order for these allegations not to prosper it is a must to be represented by an expert Kings County Will Contest Attorney.
At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, we have what you need for the protection of your testamentary rights. Our Kings County Estate Attorneys and Kings County Will Contest Lawyers are always here to help you in this kind of litigations.