Opinion ID: 1889596
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: contestants' standing to sue

Text: In a separate action the contestants alleged that Ruth and Mulberry were never divorced, and that Ruth was an heir-at-law of Mulberry's. By a separate motion to dismiss, or plea in bar, the proponents sought to dismiss the petition because of the illegitimacy of Lee and Campbell Kennebrew. The Chancellor overruled the motion and plea. The proponents never denied the contestants were in truth and in fact the natural children of Mulberry's, and therefore the natural grandchildren of Sarah's. Their claim is simply that these two grandchildren, being illegitimate, have no interest in this estate, and no standing to petition the will. A simple answer to this would be the fact that there remains a 1972 will and codicil in which they received a greater share in the estate, and which may very well be subject to probate. Moreover, on the merits, the record shows there was a ceremonial marriage between Mulberry and Frances Campbell, and thereafter Lee and Campbell were born of this union. Thus, there is no impediment to their inheriting as lawful heirs-at-law of Mulberry's. See: Miss. Code Ann. 91-1-5 (1981 and 1983 supplement); Vance Witt, Admr. v. Mitchell, 437 So.2d 63 (Miss. 1983).