In re the Probate of the Will of Kosberg
Opinion of the Court
This is an application to deny probate to two instruments dated September 11, 1925, and November 18, 1933, respectively, which were found in the decedent’s safe-deposit box.
The only question to be determined is whether these notations constitute a cancellation in accordance with section 34 of the Decedent Estate Law. The court is satisfied that these markings upon this will of September 11, 1925, signify a clear and irrefutable intention to achieve the purpose of a revocation and the evidence is decisive that this paper was cancelled by the decedent himself with the intent and purpose of revoking it (Matter of Parsons, 119 Misc. 26, affd. 204 App. Div. 879, affd. 236 N. Y. 580; Matter of Robinson, 201 Misc. 439; Matter of Berman, 185 Misc. 1037; Matter of McCaffrey, 174 Misc. 162).
As to the instrument dated in 1933, which is holographic, the proof establishes that it was executed in this county by the decedent while a resident of New York and is attested by only one witness. There being a failure to comply with the provisions of section 21 of the Decedent Estate Law, the script must be denied probate.
The alternative relief as prayed for will be granted and letters of administration will issue to the petitioner upon the filing of a bond of $2,800.
Settle decree.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.