In re Bottger’s Estate
Washington Supreme Court
14 Wash. 2d 676, 129 P.2d 518 (1942)
- Written by Angela Patrick, JD
Facts
Ida Bottger had a good relationship with her son, Harry Bottger (plaintiff), and his wife, Charlotte. Charlotte had worked for Ida as a housekeeper before marrying Harry. After her marriage, Charlotte still lived with Ida and helped her around the house until Ida died. However, Ida’s relationship with her other living children and grandchildren (defendants) was more strained. Ida executed a will giving $10 to each of her living children and grandchildren and giving the rest to Harry. Shortly after executing the will, Ida was very upset to learn that several of these other relatives had petitioned to have her declared incompetent and institute a guardianship, and her relationship with those relatives never recovered. After Ida died, the disinherited relatives contested the will’s validity, arguing that it was a product of undue influence and fraud by Harry and Charlotte. The trial court found that the will was invalid.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Steinert, J.)
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