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ARTICLE FIRST.

PROBATE OF A WILL AND GRANT OF LETTERS THERE

UPON.

SEC. 2611. What wills may be proved.

2612. Change of residence not to affect validity, etc.

2613. Application of last two sections.

2614. Who may propound will.

2615. Who to be cited thereupon.
2616. Contents of citation.

2617. Persons not cited may appear.

2618. Witnesses to be examined; proof required.

2619. Absent, etc., witnesses to be accounted for.

2620. Proof of handwriting.

2621. Proof of lost or destroyed will.

2622. Probate not allowed, unless surrogate satisfied, etc.

2623. Will; when sufficiently proved.

2624. Validity and construction of testamentary provisions.

2625. Surrogate's decision on probate.

2626. Probate; how far conclusive as to personalty.

2627. Id,; as to realty.

2623. When purchaser from heir protected notwithstanding a

devise.

2629. Will certified, or record thereof, may be read in evidence.
2630. Recording wills proved elsewhere within the State.

2631, 2632. Records of certain wills heretofore proved; how far
evidence.

2633. Id.; as to wills of real property.

2634. Index and fees.

2635, Wills to be returned after probate.

2636. When letters testamentary may be issued.

2637. Surrogate to inquire into objections.

2638. Bond; when required.

2639. Renunciation; retraction thereof.

2640. Selection of an executor under power.

2641. Objection to such a person; how taken, etc.

2642. Executor failing to qualify or renounce; how excluded.

2613. Letters of administration with will annexed.

2644. Id.; renunciation of exclusion of persons having prior right. 2615. Executor or administrator to qualify.

2646. Effect of certain provisions limited.

A will of real

§ 2611. What wills may be proved. or personal property, executed as prescribed by the laws of the State, or a will of personal property, executed without the State, and within the United States, the Dominion of Canada, or the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as prescribed by the laws of the State or country where it is or was executed, or a will of personal property, executed by a person not a resident of the State, according to the laws of the testator's residence, may be proved as prescribed in this article.

L. 1876, ch. 118, 1 and 2, amended. Matter of Forman, 54 Barb. 274; 8. C., 1 Tuck. 205; Thompson v. Quimby, 2 Bradf. 449; Matter of Will of Diez, 50 N. Y. 88; s. c., 56 Barb. 59; 1R. S. 736, 119; Ex parte Day,! Bradf. 476: Ex parte McCormick, 2 id. 169; Wood v. Vandenburgh, 6

Paige, 277; Matter of Tonnelle, 5 N. Y. Leg. Obs. 254; 8. c., 4 N. Y. 140; Barber v. Barber, 17 Hun, 72; Carle r. Underhill, 3 Bradf. 101; Isham v. Gibbons, 1 id. 69; Collier v. Idley, id. 94; Matter of Roberts' Will, 8 Paige, 446; Moultrie v. Hunt, 23 N. Y. 394; Horton v. McCoy, 47 id. 21; Zimmerman v. Schoenfeldt, 3 Hun, 692; 6 T. & C. 142; Prince v. Hazleton, 20 Johns. 501; Botsford v. Krake, 1 Abb. N. S. 112; Hubbard v. Hubbard, 8 N. Y. 196; 12 Barb. 148; Ex parte Thompson, 4 Bradf. 154. 2612. Change of residence not to affect validity, etc.. - The right to have a will admitted to probate, the validity of the execution thereof, or the validity or construction of any provision contained therein, is not affected by a change of the testator's residence, made since the execution of the will.

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Id., 3. Ames v. Duryea, 6 Lans 155; Despard v. Churchill, 53 N. Y. 192; Dupuy e. Seymour, 64 Barb. 156; Jauncey v. Thorne, 2 Barb, Ch. 40; Mills. Fogal, 4 Edw. 559; Alexander's Estate, 1 Tuck, 114; Isham v. Gibbons, 1 id. 69; Moultrie e. Hunt, 23 N. Y. 394, 415; Dupuy e. Wurtz, 53 id. 556.

The last

2613. Application of last two sections. two sections apply only to a will executed by a person, dying after the eleventh day of April, in the year 1876; and they do not invalidate a will, executed before that date, which would have been valid but for the enactment of those sections, except where such a will is revoked or altered by a will, which they render valid, or capable of being proved as prescribed in this article. Id., 4 and 5.

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2614. Who may propound will. A person designated in a will as executor, devisee, or legatee, or any other person interested in the estate, or a creditor of the decedent, may present, to the surrogate's court having jurisdiction, a written petition, duly verified, describing the will, setting forth the facts, upon which the jurisdiction of the court to grant probate thereof depends, and praying that the will may be proved, and that the persons, specified in the next section, may be cited to attend the probate thereof. Upon the presentation of such a petition, the surrogate must issue a citation accordingly.

L. 1837, ch. 460, 84 (4 Edm. 487). Wright v. Flemming, 19 Hun, 370; Carle r. Underhill, 3 Bradf. 101; Van Wert v. Benedict, 1 id. 114; Heer mans r. Hill, 2 Hun, 409; Baily e. Stewart, 3 Redf. 212; Hart v. Russell, 9 Week. Dig. 54; Matter of Griswold, 15 Abb. Pr. 299; Thorn v. Sheil, 15 Abb. N. S. 81.

§ 2615. Who to be cited thereupon. - The following persons must be cited, upon a petition, presented as prescribed in the last section:

1. If the will relates exclusively to real property, the husband, if any, and all the heirs of the testator.

2. If the will relates exclusively to personal property, the husband or wife, if any, and all the next of kin of the testator.

3. If the will relates to both real and personal prop erty, the husband or wife, if any, and all the heirs, and all the next of kin of the testator.

Id., 5, amended; see 2518, ante. Bleeker v. Lynch, 1 Bradf. 458; Keeney v. Whitmarsh, 16 Barb. 141; Walsh v. Ryan, 1 Bradf. 433; Everts v. Everts, 62 Barb. 577; see, also, § 2511, subd. 12, ante.

§ 2616. Contents of citation. The citation must set forth the name of the decedent, and of the person by whom the will is propounded; and it must state whether the will relates, or purports to relate, exclusively to real property, or personal property, or to both. Where the will propounded was nuncupative, that fact must be stated in the citation. Where the surrogate is unable to ascertain to his satisfaction, whether the decedent left, surviving him, any person, who would be entitled to the property affected by the will, if the decedent had died intestate, the citation must be directed, where the will relates to real property, to the attorney-general; where it relates to personal property, to the public administrator, who would have been entitled to adminis tration, if the decedent had died intestate.

Id., 27, amended; 2 R. S. 76, 37 (2 Edm. 78). Gombault . Public Administrator, 4 Bradf. 226.

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§ 2617. Persons not cited may appear. Any person, although not cited, who is named as a devisee or legatee, in the will propounded, or as executor, trustee, devisee, or legatee, in any other paper purporting to be a will of the decedent, or who is otherwise interested in sustaining or defeating the will, may appear, and, at his election, support or oppose the application. A person so appearing becomes a party to the special proceeding. But this section does not affect a right or interest of such a person, unless he so becomes a

party.

New. Public Administrator v. Watts, 1 Paige, 347; Foster r. Foster,7 id. 48; Van Alen v. Hewins, 5 Hun, 44; Brick . Brick, 66 N. Y. 144: Norton . Lawrence, 1 Redf. 473; Walsh r. Ryan, 1 Bradf. 433: Matter of Greeley's Will, 15 Abb. N. S. 393; Matter of Rollwagen, 4s low. 103; Turhune v. Brookfield, 1 Redf. 220; Chittenden's Estate, 1 Tuck. 135.

2618. Witnesses to be examined; proof required. - Upon the return of the citation, the surrogate must cause the witnesses to be examined before him. The proofs must be reduced to writing. Before a written will is admitted to probate, two, at least, of the subscribing witnesses must be produced and examined, if so many are within the State, and competent and able to testify. Before a nuncupative will is admitted to probate, its execution and the tenor thereof must be proved by at least two witnesses. Any party, who contests the probate of the will, may by a notice filed with the surrogate at any time before the proofs are closed, require the examination of all the subscribing witnesses to a written will, or of any other witness, whose testimony the surrogate is satisfied may be material, in which case, all such witnesses, who are within the State, and competent and able to testify, must be so examined.

L. 1837, ch. 460, part of 23 10 and 11 (4 Edm. 488,489); L. 1811, ch. 129, 221, 2, and 3 (4 Edm. 501). Reeve v. Crosby, 3 Redf. 74: Downey r. Downey, 16 Hun, 481; Ridder v. Legg, 51 Barb, 260; Peeble's Case, 2 Bradf. 226; Caw r. Robertson, 5 N. Y. 125; Delafield . Parish, 25 id. 9; 1 Redf. 1; 42 Barb. 274; 16 Abb. 397, note; Peck v. Cary, 27 N.Y. 9; s. c., 38 Barb. 77: McKinley v. Lamb, 64 id. 199; Newton's Estate, 1 Tuck. 347; Simpson's Will, 2 Redf. 29; Walsh's Will, 1 Tuck. 132; Chaffeer. Bap. Miss. Con., 10 Paige, 85; Vernon v. Spencer, 3 Bradf. 16; Sequine e. Sequine, 2 Barb. 385; Lewis r. Lewis, 11 N. Y. 220; s. c., 13 Barb. 17: 9 N. Y. Leg. Obs. 150; Matter of Forman, 54 Barb, 274; 1 Tuck. 349; Merchant's Estate, id. 151; McKinley v. Lamb, 56 Barb. 284; see 2 2620, post; Taylor's Will Case, 10 Abb. N. S. 300; Johnson v. Hicks, 1 Lans. 150; L. 1880, ch. 36; Smith's Estate, 1 Tuck. 227; Orser v. Orser, 24 N. Y. 51; Lake r. Ranney, 33 Barb. 49; Lee v. Dill, 11 Abb. 214; Gamble v. Gamble, 39 Barb. 373; Gilbert v. Knox, 52 N. Y. 125; Coffin v. Coffin, 34 id. 9; Nelson r. McGiffert, 3 Barb. Ch. 158; Carle v. Underhill, 3 Bradf. 101; Doe v. Roe, 2 Barb. 200; Keeney v. Whitmarsh, 16 id. 141; Gambault e. Public Administrator, 4 Bradf. 226; Matter of Will of Kellum, 52 N. Y. 517: Wier r. Fitzgerald, 2 Bradf. 42; Rolwagen e. Rolwagen, 3 Hun, 121; 5 T. & C. 402; 63 N. Y. 504; Torry . Bowen, 15 Barb, 304; Burritt v. Silliman, 16 id. 198: Brown. De Selding, 4 Sandf. 10; Nipper r. Groesbeck, 22 Barb. 670; Robins . Coryell, 27 Barb. 557; Gilbert r. Knox, 52 N. Y. 125; Peck v. Cary, 27 id. 9; s. c., 38 Barb. 77; Matter of Gilman, id. 361; Campbell ?. Logan, 2 Bradf. 90; Moore. Moore, Fl. 261. Declaration of testator, etc.-Rutherford e. Rutherford, 1 Den. 33; Lewis r. Lewis, 11 N. Y. 220; 13 Barb. 17; Seymour . Van Wyck, 6 N. Y. 120; Abby e. Christy, 49 Barb. 276; Thompson r. Leastead, 3 Hun, 395 Kingsly e. Blanchard, 66 Barb. 317; Badgly. Blackman, 2 Lans. 41; Hunt v. Mootrie, 3 Bradf. 322; 26 Barb. 252; reversed, 23 N. Y. 394; Van Hooser, 1 Redf. 365; In re Sheriden, id. 447; Gilbert v. Knox, 52 N.Y. 125; Reeve r. Crosby, 3 Redf. 74; Belding . Leichardt, 56 N. Y. 680; Dack r. Dack, 8 Week. Dig. 104; Tyler v. Mapes, 19 Barb. 448; Trustees of Auburn Theo. Sem. v. Calhoun, 62 id. 38L Signing, etc. -Sisters of Charity . Kelly, 67 N. Y. 409; Hitchcock v. Thompson, 6 Hun, 279; Heady's Will, 15 Abb. N. S. 211; Tonnelle v. Hall, 4 N. Y. 140; Cohen's Estate, 1 Tuck. 286; Matter of Gilman, 38 Barb. 364; Chaffee r. Bap. Miss. Cong., 10 Paige, 85; Robins, Coryell, 27 Barb. 556; Butler v. Benson, 1 id. 526; Hollenbeck v. Van Valkenburgh, 5 How, 281;

Campbell v. Logan, 2 Bradf. 90; Meehan r. Rourke, id. 385; Morris v. Knitin, 37 Barb, 336; Williamson e.Williamson, 2 Redf, 449; McDonough v. Loughlin, 20 Barb. 238; Ex parte Le Roy, 3 Bradf. 227; Hoysradt s. Kingsman, 22 N. Y. 372: Rutherford v. Rutherford, 1 Den. 33; Butler e. Benson, I Barb. 526; Jackson v. Jackson, 39 N. Y. 153; Doe r. Roe, 2 Barb, 200; Rieben e. Hicks, 3 Bradf. 353; Coffin v. Coffin, 23 N. Y. 9: Watts r. Public Administrator, 4 Wend. 168; Price r. Brown, 1 Bradf, 291; Estate of John Prescott, 2 Law Bull. 20; Lyon e. Smith, 11 Barb, 124; Raddon v. McDonald, 1 Bradf 352; Willis v. Mott, 36 N. Y. 456; Whitbeck r. Patterson, 10 Barb. 608; Robinson r. Smith, 13 Abb. 352; Baskin r. Baskin, & N. Y. 416; 48 Barb. 200; Mitchell r. Mitchell, 16 Hun, 97; 77 N. Y. 5326; Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul v. Kelly, 67 N. Y. 409. Attesta tion, etc.-Jackson r. Jackson, 39 id. 153; Chaffee r. Bap, Miss, Con, 18 Paige, 85; Leaycraft . Simmons, 3 Bradf, 35; Jackson v. Christnar, 4 Wend. 277; Burk's Will, 2 Redf, 239; Brown. Clark, 77 N.Y. 309; 8.C.. 16 Hun, 559; Norton e. Norton, 2 Redf, 6; Coffin e. Cotin, 23 N. Y. 9; Smith, Smith, 40 How. 318; McDonough e. Loughlin, 20 Barb. 258; Brown v. De Selding, 4 Sandf. 10; Hutchins r. Cochrane, 2 Bradt. 26: Gamble . Gamble, 39 Barb. 373; Kingsley . Blanchard, 66 Barb, 317; Morris r. Porter, 52 How. 1; Neugent . Neugent, 2 Redf. 369; Ex parte Beers, 2 Bradf. 163; Torry e. Bowen, 15 Barb. 364; Nipper r. Groesbeck, 22 id. 670; Tunison r. Tunison, 4 Bradf. 133; Stewart's Will, 2 Redf. 77 ; Thompson r. Stevens, 62 N. Y. 634.

2619. Absent, etc., witnesses to be accounted for. The death, absence from the State, lunacy, or other incompetency of a witness, required to be examined, as prescribed, in this or the last section, must be shown by affidavit or other competent evidence, to the satisfaction of the surrogate, before dispensing with his testimony. Where a witness, being within the State, is disabled from attending, by reason of age, sickness, or infirmity, his disability must be shown in like manner; and in that case, the testimony of the witness, where it is required, and he is able to testify, must be taken in the manner prescribed by law, and produced before the surrogate, as part of the proofs.

L. 1837, ch. 460, part of 22 10, 11 ((4 Edm. 489).

2620. Proof of handwriting. If all the subscrib ing witnesses to a written will are, or if a subscribing witness, whose testimony is required, is dead, or incompetent, by reason of lunacy or otherwise, to testify, or unable to testify; or if such a subscribing witness is absent from the State, and the surrogate is satisfied that his testimony cannot, with due diligence, be obtained by a commission; or if such a subscribing witness has forgotten the occurrence, or testifies against the execution of the will; the will may nevertheless be established, upon proof of the handwriting of the testator, and of the subscribing witnesses, and also of such other circumstances, as would be sufficient to prove the will

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