New York Court of Appeals, 1976

In re the Estate of MacDonald

In re the Estate of MacDonald
New York Court of Appeals · Decided December 16, 1976
40 N.Y.2d 995; 359 N.E.2d 665; 391 N.Y.S.2d 70; 1976 N.Y. LEXIS 3188

In re the Estate of MacDonald

Opinion of the Court

Memorandum. Although the hearsay testimony of the attorney-draftsman would, under usual circumstances, be inadmissible (see Matter of Kennedy, 167 NY 163; Matter of Staiger, 243 NY 468, 472) the same might be received in the absence of objection (Matter of Findlay, 253 NY 1, 11). The Surrogate considered this testimony in his finding that the proof offered was insufficient to rebut the presumption of intentional revocation. Since this finding of fact was affirmed by the Appellate Division, it is beyond the scope of our review.

Chief Judge Breitel and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler, Fuchsberg and Cooke concur.

Order affirmed, without costs, in a memorandum.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.