Case Name: IN THE MATTER OF THE PROBATE OF THE ALLEGED WILL OF WILLIAM J. BRODBECK, DECEASED. ERNEST BRODBECK AND DOROTHY SMITH, PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS, v. ETHEL REESE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS EXECUTRIX OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM J. BRODBECK, DECEASED, DEFENDANT-RESPONDENT
Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1958-03-17
Citations: 26 N.J. 298
Docket Number: 
Parties: IN THE MATTER OF THE PROBATE OF THE ALLEGED WILL OF WILLIAM J. BRODBECK, DECEASED. ERNEST BRODBECK AND DOROTHY SMITH, PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS, v. ETHEL REESE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS EXECUTRIX OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM J. BRODBECK, DECEASED, DEFENDANT-RESPONDENT.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Reports
Volume: 26
Pages: 298–298

Head Matter:
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROBATE OF THE ALLEGED WILL OF WILLIAM J. BRODBECK, DECEASED. ERNEST BRODBECK AND DOROTHY SMITH, PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS, v. ETHEL REESE, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS EXECUTRIX OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM J. BRODBECK, DECEASED, DEFENDANT-RESPONDENT.
Argued February 17, 1958
Decided March 17, 1958.
Mr. Charles A. Cohen argued the cause for appellants (Mr. Thomas F. McGuire, attorney).
Mr. William 8. Keown argued the cause for respondent (Mr. Walter 8. Keown, attorney).

Opinion:
Pee Ctjeiam.
The interrogatories should have been answered, and there was little justification for the extended failure to do so. Dismissal of the cause, however, was too drastic a penalty. Counsel's default is not to be condoned, but under the circumstances here presented it should not have deprived his clients of their day in court.
The judgment is reversed and the cause is remanded for further proceedings. No costs to either party.
For reversal—Chief Justice Weinteatjb, and Justices Hehee, Wacheneeld, Bueling, Jacobs, Francis and Pkootoe—7.
For affirmance—None.