Wisdom v. McBride

Steele Hays, Justice.

By this appeal we are asked to decide one issue: did the probate court abuse its discretion in the appointment of an administratrix.

Russell Merriman was killed in a motor vehicle collision on April 3,1991. His mother, Brenda Wisdom, appellant, promptly filed a petition in Independence County probate court asking that she be appointed administratrix of the estate. A day later, Jocie McBride, the deceased’s paternal grandmother, appellee, also filed a petition in the same court asking to be named administratrix. Her petition was supported by five other family members: a…