In re Groffman
England High Court of Justice
1 W.L.R. 733,2 All E.R. 108 (1969)
- Written by Christine Raino, JD
Facts
Charles Groffman’s will was witnessed by his friends, Julius Leigh and David Block. Groffman signed his will at Block’s home, but not in the presence of either of witness. Instead, after signing his will, he brought the will to Block for him to sign as witness, which Block did. After Block signed, Groffman then had the will witnessed by Leigh in another room and without the simultaneous presence of Block. Groffman’s will divided his estate between his widow (objector), her daughter from a prior marriage and his daughter from a prior marriage. When he died three years later, his wife challenged the will claiming it had not been validly executed. If the court declared Groffman’s will to be invalid, his widow stood to inherit the entire estate under the intestacy laws. The question before the court was whether to admit Groffman’s will to probate as validly executed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Judge omitted from case brief summary)
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