Connecticut Junior Republic v. Doherty

Eight charities complain that a lawyer’s error in drafting a codicil cost them $1,305,060 in bequests. A judge of the Superior Court, who heard the case without a jury, determined that, to the extent the lawyer erred, the testator consciously ratified the mistake, thus relieving the draftsman of liability. We affirm.

Here are the background facts. Richards Haskell Emerson executed a will on May 19, 1960, which provided for residuary legacies to seven charities (original charities). 3 At that time Emerson was domiciled in Lakeville, Connecticut, to which he had retired after many years of…