Case Name: In the matter of proving the will of Augustus N. Lawrence
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1829-05
Citations: 2 Wend. 297
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the matter of proving the will of Augustus N. Lawrence.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wendell's Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 297–297

Head Matter:
In the matter of proving the will of Augustus N. Lawrence.
In the proof of a will, a written petition to take the proof is not necessary. Affidavits of the interest of the parties, and of service of notice on them are received ; viva voce proof of these facts not being required.
D. S. Jones moved the court to receive the proof of the will of Augustus N. Lawrence. He asked the court whether it was necessary to present a written petition for that purpose, and whether the evidence of heirship, and proof of service of notice of the proceeding on the parties interested must be viva voce, or whether affidavits are received. He said he deemed the petition unnecessary, and supposed that affidavits would be received.

Opinion:
By the Court, Savage, C. J.
The practice is well settled. A petition is not necessary, and affidavits of heirship and notice are always received. The execution of the will alone is proved viva voce. The witnesses are sworn to make true answers to such questions as shall be put to them. They then subscribe the depositions previously prepared, containing the substance of their testimony, and the will and proofs are recorded.