Case Name: In the Matter of the Estate of George Schafer, Deceased. Wilhelmina S. Schrader, Appellant; Elizabeth L. Schafer, as Administratrix of the Estate of George Schafer, Deceased, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1951-01-10
Citations: 278 A.D. 608
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Estate of George Schafer, Deceased. Wilhelmina S. Schrader, Appellant; Elizabeth L. Schafer, as Administratrix of the Estate of George Schafer, Deceased, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 278
Pages: 608–608

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Estate of George Schafer, Deceased. Wilhelmina S. Schrader, Appellant; Elizabeth L. Schafer, as Administratrix of the Estate of George Schafer, Deceased, Respondent.

Opinion:
Appeal by petitioner-appellant from an order of the Surrogate's Court of Saratoga County which dismissed her petition to revoke the letters of administration issued to respondent in the estate of George Schafer, deceased. Respondent is the widow of the decedent, but she had lived separate and apart from decedent for nearly thirty years prior to his death. The application to revoke letters of administration issued to her was based upon thb theory that she had abandoned him (Decedent Estate Law, § 87; Surrogate's Ct. Act, § 118). The Surrogate's Court held that, respondent was not disqualified to serve as administratrix by reason of abandonment or for any other cause. We think this decision was correct. The proof taken was not sufficient to sustain a finding of abandonment. More than the mere fact of separation must be shown, and the burden of proof is on the party who asserts the abandonment (Williams v. Williams, 130 N. Y. 193; Matter of Maiden, 284 N. Y. 429). Order unanimously affirmed, without costs. Present — Foster, P. J., Heffernan, Deyo, Bergan and Coon, JJ.