2) Formalities Flashcards

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1
Q

kinds of wills

A

1) witnessed

2) holographic

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2
Q

formalities: witnessed will

A

1) in writing
2) subscribed (signed by testator)
3) signed by wits
(substantial compliance)

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3
Q

formalities: witnessed: signed by testator: def

A

1) signature is whatever act testator intends to authenticate the doc
2) signature can be anywhere on the doc
3) sig does not have to be by testator’s hand, provided done at direction of testator + in testator’s presence

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4
Q

formalities: witnessed: signed by witnesses: def

A

1) wits must see the testator sign, OR see/hear the testator ack a preexisting signature to them. order of sig doesn’t matter
2) need 2+ competent, disinterested wits
3) wits must know they’re witnessing a will, but dnnk contents

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5
Q

formalities: witnessed: signed by witnesses: NOT a req

A

NOT req’d that wits sign in testator’s presence, OR each other’s presence

NOT req’d taht testator sign first

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6
Q

formalities: witnessed: interested wits: def

A

a witness AND a beneficiary

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7
Q

formalities: witnessed: interested wits: result

A

presumption that wit got the devise by duress, fraud, or undue influence.

interested wit must rebut

if can’t, the gift to the interested wit fails (tho still can get what would be her intestate part)

BUT IF 2+ disinterested wits, it’s ok that there are also interested wits

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8
Q

formalities: witnessed: substantial compliance

A

even if witness req. not satisfied, will will still be valid if
clear + convincing evidence that
at time of signing, testator intended the doc to be his will

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9
Q

holographic will: reqs

A

1) signed by testator
2) material provisions in testator’s handwriting
3) date not req’d
4) wits not req’d
(always consider intent)

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10
Q

holographic will: reqs: signed by testator: def

A

as with the attested will, sig is whatever act the testator intends to authenticate the doc
–can be anywhere, with any mark

Testator himself must sign! no sig by proxy!

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11
Q

integration: issue

A

which papers and terms are part of the will?

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12
Q

integration: rule

A

only the pages / docs actually present at execution and intended to be part of the will (at time of execution)

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13
Q

incorporation by reference: rule

A

ok to incorporate by reference if

1) the separate doc exists at time will is executed AND
2) the will clearly identifies the separate doc

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14
Q

acts of independent significance: def

A

ok for will to dispose of property by reference to acts/events that are significant apart from their effect on the dispo in the will. Event must be happening for some reason independent from its role in distributing property (ex. employees)

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15
Q

using extrinsic evidence: when

A

1) plain meaning rule – not if language is unambiguous

2) only if ambiguous

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16
Q

plain meaning rule

A

if language of will is unambiguous, evidence NOT admissible to contradict plain language. challenger can’t try and show testator made a mistake.

17
Q

yes ambiguous: use of extrinsic evidnece

A

is ok (for either kind of ambiguity), to show:

1) intent
2) help construct
3) choose among different possible meanings

18
Q

ambiguities: kinds

A

1) patent

2) latent

19
Q

patent ambiguity: def

A

appears on the face of the will (half to 3 ppl)

20
Q

latent ambiguity: def

A

“sister John”: is ambiguous in light of extrinsic facts

21
Q

extrinsic evidence: what kinds can use?

A

NOT oral declarations of testator

22
Q

third party will

A

you want your property devised according to someone else’s will

ok if the friend’s will exists at time of yorus (incorporation by reference). If he changes it later or it didn’t exist, must qualify as act of independent significance

23
Q

codicils: def

A

later testamentary instrument that alters, amends, or modifies a previously executed will

24
Q

codicils: reqs

A

must be executed w same testamentary formalities as a will

BUT dnn to be in same format as will it’s amending (one can be attested, other holographic)

25
Q

codicil: effect

A

1) validly executed c. republishes the will as of the date of the c., even if it doesn’t say that it does
2) modifies, but does not replace, existing will (unless codicil expressly revokes the existing will or irreconcilable inconsistencies)

26
Q

codicil: effect of republication

A

will and codicil are viewed as one instrument. INterpret according to circs and law in effect at time of republication

27
Q

will executed outside of california is valid in CA if:

A

1) executed in compliance w CA law OR
2) the law in place of execution at that time OR
3) law of place where testator was domiciled–at time of execution or time of death