366 P.2d 338 | Nev. | 1961
OPINION
By the Court,
This is an appeal from an order admitting to probate a document dated January 11, 1960, as the last will of the above-named decedent. Although the written opposition to the probate of such will alleged that it was a forgery, that it was not executed as required by statute, that the decedent was not of sound mind, that his signature was procured by fraud and undue influence and that he acted under duress, appellants assert that the sole theory advanced by their opposition was that the will was a forgery — that it was typewritten by the proponent, respondent herein, who was the sole beneficiary, above the authentic signature of the testator. We deal
Appellants’ brief and oral argument urge that this court weigh the evidence and reject the trial court’s findings. This was likewise urged in In re Estate of Peterson, 77 Nev. 87, 360 P.2d 259, 263, under the contention that will contests are purely of equitable cognizance and that it is the duty of this court to weigh the evidence and direct the entry of such judgment as we might consider proper. We there said: “Such is not the rule in Nevada. Agricultural Insurance Co. of Watertown, N. Y. v. Biltz, 57 Nev. 370, 64 P. 2d 1042. As in cases at law, we do not disturb the findings of the court or the jury when supported by substantial evidence.” We said further in that case: “Since our duty begins and ends with a determination of whether there is adequate substantial evidence to support this finding, it would be idle to attempt to analyze the evidence submitted by appellant in conflict with that offered by the respondents.”
Respondent, the two subscribing witnesses, and a fourth witness at the trial all testified that they saw the testator sign the will in question. The trial court heard
We must frankly concede that the evidence presented by the contestants threw grave suspicions and doubts upon the authenticity of the will, but these were resolved against the contestants by the trier of the facts.
The order admitting the will to probate is affirmed.