Case ID: wis_154/html/0574-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "KeewiN, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Will of Powell.
    
      October 7
    
    October 28, 1913.
    
    
      Wills: Execution: Mental capacity: Undue influence.
    
    Findings of the circuit court to the effect that a will was legally executed and properly witnessed, that the testator had sufficient mental capacity to malte a will, and that the malting thereof was not procured by undue influence, are held to be supported by the evidence.
    Appeal from a judgment of the circuit court for Eau Claire county: James Wickham, Circuit Judge.
    
      Affirmed.
    
    This is a contest over the probate of the will of Thomas Powell, deceased. The will was attacked on the following grounds: First, illegal execution; second, mental incapacity; third, undue influence exercised over the testator by legatees and devisees.
    The county court admitted the will to probate, and upon appeal tbe circuit court affirmed tbe judgment of tbe county court. Tbe court below made tbe following findings:
    “That on tbe 3d day of May,. A. D. 1912, Tbomas Powell died at tbe city of Eau Claire, county of Eau Claire, state of Wisconsin, and tbat at tbe time of bis death he was, and for many years prior thereto bad been, a ^resident and inhabitant of said city of Eau Claire.
    “That tbe written instrument dated March 26, A. D. 1912, introduced in evidence herein and purporting to be tbe last will and testament of said Tbomas Powell, deceased, was on tbe 26th day of March, A. D. 1912, at tbe city of Eau Claire, county of Eau Claire, state of Wisconsin, duly signed, sealed, published, and declared by said Tbomas Powell, deceased, as and for bis last will and testament in tbe presence of W. P. Bartlett and Edwin C. Potter;-tbat at said time and place tbe said Tbomas Powell, deceased, requested said W. P. Bartlett and Edwin C. Potter to subscribe their respective names to ¡laid instrument as attesting "witnesses thereto, and tbat they, tbe said W. P. Bartlett and Edwin 0. Potter, did then and there, in the presence of said Tbomas Powell, deceased, and in tbe presence of. each other, subscribe their respective names to said instrument as attesting witnesses thereto, after the signing of said instrument by said Thomas Powell.
    “Tbat at tbe time said Tbomas Powell made and executed said instrument he was of sound mind, memory, and understanding, and possessed of sufficient mental capacity to enable him to clearly and fully understand and comprehend the nature and effect thereof;
    “Tbat tbe making and execution of said written instrument by said Tbomas Powell, deceased, was not procured by tbe exercise of any undue influence by tbe proponents, Clinton Moses and John P. Norrish, or by either of them, or by any other person or persons.”
    The court concluded:
    “Tbat tbe written instrument dated March 26, A. D. 1912, and introduced in evidence herein as and for tbe last will and testament of Tbomas Powell, deceased, is in all' respects executed and witnessed as by law required, and tbat such instrument is tbe legal last will and testament of said Tbomas Powell, deceased, and that as such the same is entitled to probate.
    “That the proponents and respondents, Clinton Moses and John P. Norrish, are entitled to judgment against the contestant and appellant, Mary Hill; that the order and judgment of the county court of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, dated and entered on the 16th day of July, A. I). 1912, admitting to probate that certain instrument in writing dated March 26, A. D. 1912, as the last will and festament of Thomas Powell, deceased, be and the same is in all respects affirmed, and that this matter and all records therein be transmitted to said county court with directions to said court to proceed therein as required by law; and that proponents and respondents, Clinton Moses and John P. Norrish, have and recover of the contestant and appellant, Mary Hill, the costs and disbursements of this appeal.”
    Judgment was entered accordingly. The appellant excepted to the findings and appealed to this court.
    For the appellant there was a brief by Larson & Gilbertson, and oral argument by A. C. Larson.
    
    
      W. P. Bartlett, attorney, and D. Buchanan, Jr., of counsel, for the respondents.
   KeewiN, J.

This is a contest over the will of Thomas Powell,' deceased. The county court sustained the will, and on appeal the circuit court affirmed the judgment of the county court. The appeal here is from the judgment of the circuit court.

The specifications of error are: (a) that the court erred in finding that the will was legally executed and properly attested by subscribing witnesses; (b) that the court erred in finding that the testator had sufficient mental capacity to execute a will; and (c) that the court erred in finding that the execution of the will was not procured by undue influence. These errors involve the proposition whether the findings set out in the statement of facts are supported by the evidence.

Counsel for áppellant favors us with a very able and ingenious brief, but the findings are so well supported that it would serve no useful purpose to discuss the evidence here. It is clear that the judgment below cannot be disturbed.

By the Court. — The judgment of the court below is affirmed. No costs in this court shall be paid out of the estate.