Case Name: Succession of Hermina MARTEL, Widow of Fred R. MARTIN, Jr.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1972-06-30
Citations: 262 La. 472
Docket Number: No. 52616
Parties: Succession of Hermina MARTEL, Widow of Fred R. MARTIN, Jr.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 262
Pages: 471–471

Head Matter:
263 So.2d 729
Succession of Hermina MARTEL, Widow of Fred R. MARTIN, Jr.
No. 52616.
June 30, 1972.

Opinion:
BARHAM, J.,
is of the opinion the writ should be granted. There is no simultaneous death under our law for dispositions mortis causa. Presumptions of law require that in every event the husband or the wife predeceases the other. The substitution of the executor in case the husband predeceased his wife; the testatrix, at least makes the testament ambiguous. In such a case we should look to intent and are required to construe for testacy. This testament can be construed to have validity. We should at least remand for extrinsic evidence of testamentary intent.