Walker v. Risk

1963 OK 64, 380 P.2d 80, 1963 Okla. LEXIS 329
CourtSupreme Court of Oklahoma
DecidedMarch 19, 1963
DocketNo. 39948
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 1963 OK 64 (Walker v. Risk) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Walker v. Risk, 1963 OK 64, 380 P.2d 80, 1963 Okla. LEXIS 329 (Okla. 1963).

Opinion

BERRY, Justice.

On April 16, 1960, Mrs. Anna Hillis, hereafter referred to as “testatrix”, died testate in Mayes County, Oklahoma. Testatrix was born in March, 1872. Her husband, who had been a practicing physician in Mayes County, died in the early part of 1949.

The record shows that in August 24, 1949, testatrix executed a typewritten will in which she bequeathed the sum of $1,000.00 to the First Methodist Church of Pryor, Oklahoma, which bequest was to be used in part for creating a suitable memorial to testatrix’s late husband, and the remainder of her estate to her half-sisters and half-brother or their issue. This will was apparently executed and witnessed in form and manner as provided by statute. On May 4, 1953, testatrix executed a codicil to this will in which she bequeathed certain personal effects to named nieces, some or all of whom had visited at her home in 1953.

On May 24, 1955, testatrix executed a holographic will which read as follows:

“last will and testament I Anna Hillis being of sound mind and memory, revoke all other wills and - Codicies. to my nurse Mrs. Rachel-Walker I will my home firniture and the ?es residue of my estate at my death. Pryor Okla 24th day of May 1955 signed Mrs. Anna Hillis”

[82]*82Subsequently, on May '25, 1957, testatrix executed a typewritten will in which she bequeathed $10.00 to each of her seven nieces and nephews and the remainder of her estate to Rachel Walker, hereafter referred to as “proponent”. This will was executed and witnessed in form and manner as provided by statute.

Following testatrix’s death, proponent offered the last above mentioned will for probate in the County Court of Mayes County. Defendants in error, hereafter referred to as “contestants”, who are nieces and nephews of testatrix, filed a contest to the will. Following a hearing this contest was sustained and it was ordered that the will not be admitted to probate. From this order, proponent perfected an appeal to the District Court of Mayes County.

Thereafter, proponent offered the holographic will for probate in the mentioned county court. Contestants also filed a contest to this will. Following a hearing, the contest was denied and it was ordered that the will be admitted to probate. From the order, contestants appealed to the mentioned District Court.

It appears that the appeals were either consolidated or set for trial on the same date. It further appears that proponent abandoned her appeal and the trial in the District Court embraced only the issues presented by contestants’ appeal, which issues apparently were these: (a) that the will was not that of testatrix; (b) that it was not a valid will; (c) that prior to alleged execution of the will testatrix had been adjudged mentally incompetent, a guardian was appointed, she has never been restored to competency and was not of sound mind nor capable of disposing of her property as of date of will; (d) that a confidential relationship existed between proponent and testatrix at time will was executed, and execution resulted from undue influence of proponent over testatrix; (e) that execution of will resulted from threats, menace and duress practiced by proponent upon testatrix; (f) that execution of will was obtained through fraud and deceit of proponent.

Following trial of the appeal to the court it was found that “(6) That there existed between the decedent-testatrix and the proponent, Rachel Walker, a confidential relationship of nurse-patient, and that there was no independent advice given to the decedent-testatrix concerning the execution of said holographic will; (7) That at the time of the making, execution and delivery of said holographic will the testatrix, Anna Hillis, was not seized or possessed of testamentary capacity; and, (8) That by reason of the lack of testamentary capacity said holographic will is not entitled to be admitted to probate, and the judgment and ruling of the County Court of Mayes County, State of Oklahoma, made and entered in probate Cause No. 4300, on the 9th day of December, 1960, should be reversed.” The court specifically found that the will was executed by testatrix; that proponent did not exercise undue influence over testatrix and that execution of the will did not result from duress, fraud, etc. Judgment was entered in favor of contestants. From order denying proponent’s motion for new trial, she perfected this appeal.

For reversal proponent contends that “The finding and adjudication by the trial court that the decedent, Anna Hillis, was not seized or possessed of testamentary capacity at the time of the making or executing the will in contest, was clearly against the weight of the evidence and contrary to law.”

Contestants counter the contention so made by proponent and as an affirmative proposition urge that the evidence clearly shows that proponent abused the confidential relationship existing between her and testatrix by exercising undue influence over testatrix; that the latter’s execution of the will resulted from such influence.

On repeated occasions we have held that a person has testamentary capacity when his mind and memory are such that he knows, in a general way, (a) the charac[83]*83ter and extent of his property; (b) understands his relationship to the objects of his bounty; (c) is cognizant of those who should be in his mind on occasion of making will, and (d) comprehends the nature and effect of the testamentary Act. See King et al. v. Gibson et al., 207 Okl. 251, 249 P.2d 84, and cited cases. We add, that it is pointed out in the last cited case that testamentary capacity is a question of fact to be determined from all the facts and circumstances in each case.

The parties agree that the mentioned tests are applicable in determining whether testatrix was possessed of testamentary capacity at the time she executed the 1955 will.

The evidence bearing upon the proposition of whether the findings and judgment of the trial court as to testamentary capacity are clearly against the weight of the evidence can be summarized thusly:

The approximate value of testatrix’s estate as of date of death was $32,250.00. Her properties consisted of a residence ($10,000.00); cash and other intangibles ($20,000.00); household furnishings ($1,-900.00); jewelry ($250.00).

On April 1, 1954, an order was entered by the County Court of Mayes County finding that testatrix was “mentally incompetent to handle her business affairs and to look after her personal welfare” and for said reason a guardian (C. D. Mitchell) should be appointed of her person and estate. This order became final. Testatrix had not been restored to competency as of date of her death and Mr. Mitchell served as her guardian at all times following date of his appointment as such.

In 1950 testatrix called at Dr. C.’s office in Pryor. Dr. C. was a practicing medical doctor.

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1968 OK 142 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1968)

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Bluebook (online)
1963 OK 64, 380 P.2d 80, 1963 Okla. LEXIS 329, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/walker-v-risk-okla-1963.