Laskowski v. Latoski

Kelly, J. Appellants, as contestants to the will, raised only 1 question in the probate and circuit courts of Bay county — i.e., whether the will was duly executed. The probate court held it was not. The circuit court, by jury verdict, held that the will was duly executed. Defendants appeal and submit 2 questions: (1) “Was it reversible error for the court to refuse to permit the contestants to show the degree of monetary interest the proponent of the will had in the outcome of the case?” (2) “Did the instructions of the court as to differences and inconsistencies of the testimony tend to mislead the jury so as to constitute reversible error ?” ! When testatrix made her will (August 7, 1953) she was 83 years of age and for about 1 year previous to executing said instrument had resided with her daughter, Jennie Laskowski, proponent and ap-pellee. Testatrix was an educated woman; she could read and write English, German, Polish and Latin, and in her younger days had been a schoolteacher and a dressmaker. At the time she made her will she was suffering with cancer, but was able to move around and take care of herself. Testatrix died September 6, 1953, leaving 7 children surviving her. Five of the children contest the will her daughter offered for probate. From the outset, the only claim in regard to the invalidity of the will was confined to the question as to whether the witnesses to the will had signed in the presence of the [382] testatrix. ' There was no claim of mental incompetency, nor any claim of undue influence. Question 1: “Was it reversible error for the court to refuse to permit the contestants to show the degree of monetary interest the proponent of the will had in the outcome of the case?” On cross-examination proponent stated she did not know the value of her mother’s property and could not say whether the property had been appraised at $11,500,. or whether said amount would be a true appraisal. The will was introduced in evidence and proponent’s.interest therein was clearly established for the jury by her testimony, as follows: “I don’t know how much the house devised to me is rented for now. I have 6 brothers and sisters. I understand that if this instrument is not allowed as the last will of my mother, I get just 1/7 of the property. I also understand that if this instrument is allowed by a will that I will get approximately half of the property but I don’t know what 1/2 of the property is worth.” The will was not opposed on the grounds of mental incompetency or undue influence, and we cannot agree with appellants that the court committed reversible error in improperly limiting proof as to the degree of monetary interest the proponent had in the outcome of the case. Question 2: “Did the instructions of the court as to differences and inconsistencies of the testimony tend to mislead the jury so as to constitute reversible errorf” At the conclusion of the court’s instructions, the court addressed counsel in the following manner: “The Court: Anything you wish to add, Mr. Lei-brand (attorney for appellee) % [383] “Mr. Leibrand: Nothing, your Honor. “The Court: Mr. Legatz (attorney for contestants in trial court) ? “Mr. Legatz: Nothing your Honor. “The Court: Very well.” Appellants in their motions for new trial did not incorporate the facts set forth in question 2. The first time this point was raised by appellants was in their brief filed with this Court. In addition to the fact that appellants belatedly raise this point, we add that we have examined the instructions of the court and conclude that said instructions did not mislead the jury. Appellants do not contend in this appeal that the jury verdict was contra to the great weight of the evidence. Judgment affirmed. Costs to appellee. Dethmers, C. J., and Carr, Smith, Black, Edwards, Voelker, and Kavanagh, JJ., concurred.