Opinion ID: 1449754
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Administration of Estate

Text: Defendant filed intestacy proceedings on July 31, 1979, under the new Probate Code which became effective on July 1, 1976. §§ 45-1-101 through 45-7-401, N.M.S.A. 1978 (Orig. and Cum.Supp. 1982). Plaintiffs properly contended that the trial court was without jurisdiction to decide the proceedings under the new Probate Code. The new Probate Code specifically provides that the new Code is applicable to decedents who died on or after July 1, 1976. 1975 N.M. Laws, ch. 257, § 1-101. The record does not show that Defendant ever properly probated the estate. However, Defendant asserts that she is entitled to administratrix's fees, attorney's fees and widow's allowance in the probate of decedent's estate. Since the estate has never been properly filed for probate, we are without jurisdiction to answer this issue. Both parties shall bear their own costs and attorneys' fees concerning the partition action and for this appeal. IT IS SO ORDERED. PAYNE, C.J., and SOSA, Senior Justice, concur.