In Re Estate of Nelson

James Nelson appeals from a judgment admitting the lost will of his late estranged wife, Patricia Veguilla Nelson, to probate. He challenges the trial court’s ruling on a number of issues, including the requirements for admission of a lost will to probate under RCW 11.20, the nature of a “marriage settlement” which prevents the revocation of an antenuptial will as to the testator’s spouse otherwise required by RCW 11.12.050, the validity of an unsigned contract under the statute of frauds, and the right to discovery in lost will contests. We hold that the trial court correctly decided all…