In Re Estate of Kirkander
In Re Estate of Kirkander
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal from the final decree of the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, Orphans’ Court Division, dismissing as untimely an appeal from the probate of a document purporting to be the last will and testament of Warren R. Kirkander (“decedent”).
On August 24, 1978, almost two years after the alleged will of their father had been admitted to probate,
A petition to dismiss the appeal was filed by appellee on August 30, 1978, asserting that the one year statute of limitations had passed.
In Culbertson’s Estate, 301 Pa. 438, 152 A. 540 (1930), we considered the same question here presented and held that where fraud had been practiced upon the register of wills, an appeal could be taken attacking probate after the time fixed by the statute for an appeal had passed. Id., 301 Pa. at 446, 447, 152 A. 540.
In considering appellee’s petition to dismiss without either a responsive pleading or an evidentiary hearing, the court below was compelled to accept as true appellants’ allegation that the will admitted to probate on August 25, 1976 was a forgery, see Blumer v. Dorfman, 447 Pa. 131, 289 A.2d 463 (1972); Unger v. Hampton Township, 437 Pa. 399, 263 A.2d 385 (1970); Goldman v. McShain, 432 Pa. 61, 247 A.2d 455 (1968) (in considering preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer, the court must accept as true all of the opposing party’s well-pleaded allegations), and attack upon a forged document on the ground of fraud is not barred by the statute of limitations. Thus, on the present record, Section 908 of the P.E.F. Code would not bar appellants’ challenge and the court below erred in so holding.
. Jurisdiction is vested in this Court pursuant to the Judicial Code, Act of July 9, 1976, P.L. 586, No. 142, § 2, as amended, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 722(3) (Pamph. 1979).
. Decedent died on August 9, 1976 and his alleged will, dated February 28, 1975, was admitted to probate on August 25, 1976.
. Section 908 of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code (hereinafter “P.E.F. Code”) provides, in relevant part:
§ 908 Appeals.
(a) When allowed. — Any party in interest who is aggrieved by a decree of the register, or a fiduciary whose estate or trust is so aggrieved, may appeal therefrom to the court within one year of the decree .
Act of June 30, 1972, P.L. 508, No. 164, § 2, as amended July 9, 1976, P.L. 551, No. 135, § 3, 20 Pa.C.S.A. 908(a) (Supp. 1979-80).
. In Culbertson’s Estate, this Court approved an attack upon probate of a forged will more than twelve years after the register’s determination, despite the fact that the time then fixed by statute for an appeal was two years.
. Appellants’ alternative attack on probate grounded on alleged undue influence is barred by Section 908(a) of the P.E.F. Code. See In Re Estate of Kiger, 487 Pa. 143, 409 A.2d 5 (1979).
Concurring Opinion
concurring.
I agree that an evidentiary hearing is appropriate and accordingly I join in the mandate of remand. I write separately to clarify what I believe is the meaning of the Culbertson case, 301 Pa. 438, 152 A. 540 (1930), on which the majority relies.
In Culbertson two brothers forged a document which they later had probated as the will of their mother. On subsequent discovery of this fraud the rightful heirs were permitted to challenge the will, even though the statutory period for appeal of its probate had passed. Admittedly Culbertson does suggest that cases of forgery are deserving of some special exception to the usual, already ample period for appeal. And those few cases following Culbertson suggest that there is something of a “forgery exception” to the finality afforded by the statutory period. Yet I believe this is only because cases of forgery almost always involve a claim of fraud. In my view it is the claim of fraud, not simply the existence of a possible forgery that is crucial.
It is well-settled that a claim of fraud will toll the statutory period of limitations. Deemer v. Weaver, 324 Pa. 85, 187 A. 215 (1936); see Schaffer v. Larzelere, 410 Pa. 402, 405-406, 189 A.2d 267, 269-70 (1963). Although it is not
Finally, it should be indicated that today’s determination in no way forecloses a demonstration that the present appellants, daughters of the testator, are barred by laches from now asserting this claim, or that the rights of third parties would be impermissibly disrupted by a decision revoking the 1976 probate.
Cases after Culbertson suggest that once the period for appeal has passed it. should be left to the discretion of the orphans’ court whether to permit as a matter of grace claims of forgery. Roberts’ Estate, 309 Pa. 389, 392, 164 A. 57, 58 (1932) (in cases of forgery appeal may be allowed “in the discretion of the court as a matter ex gratia”); Miller Will, 8 Fiduc.Rptr. 494 (Montg. Co. Orph. Ct. 1958); Lowry’s Estate, 26 Pa.D. & C. 200 (Phila. Co. Orph. Ct. 1936). In the present case the orphans’ court did not permit appellant’s challenge. Yet the majority does not pause to explain why, if Culbertson and its progeny are correct, such a refusal is impermissible. In my view, where fraud is properly alleged, the orphans’ court does not have discretion to deny a hearing.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In Re ESTATE of Warren R. KIRKANDER, Deceased. Appeal of Carolyn KIRKANDER and Karen Kirkander
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published