- 12 - On March 18, 1988, decedent wrote a letter to Mr. Newman.4 Decedent expressed his satisfaction with Mr. Newman’s work. Decedent advised Mr. Newman that no one had the original adoption papers for Barney. Decedent instructed Mr. Newman to obtain copies of the adoption papers. On March 19, 1988, decedent wrote a letter to Barney and Bar. Decedent expressed a clear understanding of finances and the stock market. Decedent advised Bar and Barney that decedent’s C.P.A. was Norman C. Joseph at Seidman & Seidman in Buffalo, New York. Decedent also gave Barney and Bar several instructions including: (1) Bar should have Jo show him (Bar) where her “squirreled-away caches” were; (2) to keep decedent’s “custodial account” after he died; (3) to transfer his two “NOW Accounts” to a new “NOW Account” after he died; (4) if in their opinion a property asset had been valued too high, then have Mr. Newman fight it; (5) that Mr. Newman should probate his will and act as the estate’s attorney; (6) if they had any questions they should put them in writing and decedent would write another letter to them; (7) to cremate decedent as soon after his death as possible; (8) not to save the ashes from his cremation; (9) there was to be no funeral, ceremony, no viewing of decedent; 4 Although this letter is dated Mar. 18, 1987, it is clear from the testimony at trial, the contents of the letter, and the fact that the letter bears a “received” stamp dated Mar. 21, 1988, that this date is merely a typographical error and the letter was written in 1988.Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011