In re Beal

HERRON, J.,

Background

Albert R. Beal, Sr.1 died on July 17, 2013. Prior to his death, he had executed a will dated June 16, 2011 leaving the residue of his estate in equal shares to his four children: Albert Beal, Bryan Beal, Nell Beal and Helene Beal. He named his daughter, Nell Beal (presently, West), as executrix. His will left nothing to his “long-separated” wife, Ann Beal, who had filed a divorce action against him. While grounds for divorce were approved by the court on July 25, 2007, no final divorce decree had been entered at the time of Albert Sr.’s death.2

Albert had been an attorney…