Succession of Lopez

33 La. Ann. 368 | La. | 1881

The opinion of the Court was delivered by •

Bermudez, C. J.

Adrien Lopez died leaving a widow, collateral •relatives, and property valued at $1500.

Mrs. Lopez presented for probate a document purporting to be the olographic last will of her husband, and an institution of herself as his universal legatee.

The proceeding was conducted contradictorily with the presumptive heirs, who emphatically denied that the instrument had been dated, written and signed by Lopez.

The trial resulted.in a judgment against the petitioner, and in favor of the heirs, declaring that “ no olographic will and testament exists in •the succession of Adrien Lopez.” This judgment is before us for review.

It it clear that the denial of the relatives had the effect of requiring no less evidence than the judge should have exacted in an ex parte proceeding.

We do not understand the widow as claiming that she has produced 'in the lower court two credible witnesses who have attested that they recognized the document exhibited to them as being entirely written, dated and signed in the handwriting of Lopez, as having often seen him write and sign. R. C. 0.1655. She affirms that she has testified in that manner; that she has proved the genuineness of his writing by a witness who saw him write once, and of his signature by other witnesses who •saw Mm write Ms name more than onee; that she endeavored to complete the evidence by a comparison of writings. The proposition is that her testimony can be supplemented and strengthened by evidence •which is not that mentioned in article R. C. C. 1655, which has several times already been the subject of judicial examination and exposition. 12 M. 639; 2 R, 433; 9 An. 147; 11 An. 124; 18 An. 444; 23 An. 117; 25 .An. 85; 31 An. 315.

No bill of exception was taken to the evidence by comparison of •handwriting.

It is, therefore, unnecessary for us to express an opinion on a question which has not even recently been uniformly dealt with.

After a close analysis of the evidence, we do not find, conceding, arguendo, the theory of plaintiff, that the document produced and ■claimed to be the last will of Adrien Lopez, is satisfactorily proved to have been dated, written and signed by him. It cannot now be probated and executed as his will.

We think that the District Judge should not have ruled as absolutely -as he has done. It may well happen that the plaintiff may hereafter ■ discover and produce evidence actually unknown to her.

It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed that the judgment appealed from be reversed, and that plaintiff’s demand be dismissed as in case of nonsuit; the costs of appeal to be paid by the appellees, and •those of the lower court by the appellant.