Proponents of Will v. Contestants of Will

Proponent and appellant Barbara M. Marshall, Public Administrator of Carbon County, Montana, brings this appeal from an order of the district court of Carbon County in favor of contestant and respondent, Thelmar Birkeland, refusing to admit into probate a proposed will of William Birkeland, deceased.

William Birkeland, a resident of Carbon County, Montana, died on August 28, 1972. His estate had an appraised value of $81,882.34.

The proposed will was drafted by attorney William Blenkner of Columbus, Montana, on or about October 26, 1970, at decedent’s request. Contrary to the advice of attorney…