Leighton v. Hallstrom

*439 On February 7, 2015, Bridgewater resident Robert H. Olson died without leaving any known will. He had no surviving parents, spouse, or children. The plaintiff, Dorothy A. Leighton, a first cousin to Olson on his father's side, stepped forward to claim his estate on behalf of herself and two similarly situated relatives. During the resulting intestacy proceedings, in which Leighton was appointed personal representative of the estate, the defendant, Bengt Hallstrom presented himself as a first cousin on Olson's mother's side and sought a proportionate share. However, the Probate and Family…