Case Name: Succession of Cypkien H. Labranche. Contest involving the Validity of a Will
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1871-03
Citations: 23 La. Ann. 292
Docket Number: No. 3109
Parties: Succession of Cypkien H. Labranche. Contest involving the Validity of a Will.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 23
Pages: 292–293

Head Matter:
No. 3109.
Succession of Cypkien H. Labranche. Contest involving the Validity of a Will.
Tlie parish court lias exclusive original jurisdiction in tlie matter of receiving proof of last wills and. testaments. Therefore, if the validity of a will lie attacked on the ground of mental unsoundness of the testator at the time it purports to have boon made, the parish court has exclusive jurisdiction to try the issue.
APPEAL from the Parish Court, parish of Sfc. Charles.
O. J. Flagg, Parish Judge. J. I). Augustine and J. Mielwl, for appellants.
O. T. Semis, for appellee.

Opinion:
Taliaferro, J.
A question of jurisdiction is presented in this case. The appellants, claiming the succession of the decedent as collateral heirs, presented a petition, to the parish court for an inventory, which was made in conformity with the order rendered.
A day or two afterwards an instrument purporting to be an olographic will, was presented with a petition to the court for its opening and probate. The will was proved and ordered to be recorded and executed. Tbe appellants filed an opposition to tbe probate of the will, alleging themselves to ho tbe legal heirs of C. H. Labrancbe, averring tbe will presented to have been obtained by collusive and indirect means; that tbe deceased, at tbe time tbe will purports to be dated, was, by means of mental incapacity, unable to make a will; that it contains a fidei commissum reprobated by law, and for that réason is null and void.
Subsequently tbe defendant, who, claiming as universal legatee under tlie will, filed an exception to the jurisdiction of the court so far as it relates to the question of mental alienation. The exception was sustained, and the suit in relation to the contest about the will dismissed. The opponents have appealed.
We think the court erred. The suit is not brought for or against the succession. It is not a money demand, nor is it brought for a specific thing. The controversy involves only the validity of the will. Courts of probate, having exclusive original jurisdiction over the matter of receiving- proof of last wills and testaments and ordering' their execution, have jurisdiction to examine into their validity and to deskre them void, or to refuse au order for their execution. C. P. 924 ; 5 La. 395; 17 La. 4; 10 Rob. 193.
It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the judgment of the parish court dismissing the opposition of the appellants, be annulled, avoided and reversed. It is further ordered that this case be remanded to tbe court of tbe first instance to be proceeded with according to law, tbe appellees paying costs of this appeal.
Rehearing refused.