Opinion ID: 885381
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Nature of the Act to be Performed

Text: ¶ 36 The first element required to show testamentary capacity is that the testator was aware of the nature of the act of making her will. Prescott's attorney, Moore, testified in his deposition that she understood that she was making a will on April 1, 1985: Q. Did you determine that she understood the nature of the act in executing her last will and testament dated April 1, 1985? A. I am confident she knew what she was doing. ¶ 37 Prescott's conservator and personal representative, Veltkamp, also testified in his deposition regarding her competency at the time she executed her will: Q. You were aware that she was considering executing a Will in 1985? A. No, I was not aware of that until after it was done, or perhaps a phone call from Jim Moore that it was being done. Q. All right. Did you have any concerns as to her competency at that time? A. No. ¶ 38 No evidence was presented from any other person directly familiar with her mental condition on the date she executed her will. Putman's expert, Dr. Frank Seitz, conceded that the only element of testamentary capacity that he believed to be lacking was Prescott's knowledge of who her heirs were: Q. Okay. Now, if Prescott knew who her heirs were, would she otherwise have testamentary capacity in your view? A. Yes. ¶ 39 Therefore, we conclude that Putman has failed to present any evidence that Prescott was not aware that she was executing a will.