Becker v. White

¶1 When Dr. Virgil “Tory” Becker Jr. died, his will left everything to his youngest daughter. His three older daughters contested the will, and we are now asked whether his surviving spouse, Dr. Nancy Becker, has standing to participate in that will contest. A person has standing if they have a direct, immediate, and legally ascertainable interest in an estate. If a will is declared invalid, estate law entitles a surviving spouse to 50 percent of the decedent’s estate through either intestacy or, if there is a prior will, as an omitted spouse. We hold that because Nancy1 has a direct,…