- 9 - On February 23, 1988, Mr. Newman wrote a letter to decedent. Mr. Newman acknowledged receiving decedent’s letters dated February 19 and 22. Mr. Newman briefly reviewed the 1988 proposed will. Mr. Newman raised one major problem with the 1988 proposed will--some of the witnesses were beneficiaries under the 1988 proposed will and the 1988 proposed will might not be upheld under New York law. Mr. Newman recommended that two “uninvolved” witnesses be used when the new wills were executed. Mr. Newman also informed decedent that he would “have the estate reducing figures and possible tax related suggestions” to decedent soon. Mr. Newman provided decedent with his tax identification number. On February 25, 1988, decedent wrote a letter to Mr. Newman. Decedent advised Mr. Newman that he (decedent) wrote the 1988 proposed will in order to “cancel” his then-current will drafted by the law firm in Buffalo, New York, and so he could wave it in the law firm’s face. Decedent wrote: “I do not pretend to teach anyone Law. But, protected as I am from an avalanche of law books, it is sometimes easier for me to see Justice and Intent than might be true of a lawyer.” Decedent continued by “explaining” the law to Mr. Newman. Decedent concluded the letter: As I say, I do not want us to get into a debate about Law. Frankly, it is too disgusting a subject for an old man to waste time on. And I wanted mainly to void the Wills MacLeod had, and I think I did just that.Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011