Pizzorno v. Herendeen

This is an appeal from a judgment rendered on a jury verdict awarding the entire estate of Frank Rivolo to the respondent, in a proceeding to determine heirship under section 1080 of the Probate Code. The question on appeal is whether the respondent, Dorothy Rivolo Herendeen, is entitled to the entire estate of Frank Rivolo as his equitably adopted daughter or only one-fifth of the estate as his niece. Appellants, who are the collateral heirs of the decedent and his predeceased spouse, concede that the respondent is entitled to one-fifth of the estate as the niece of Frank Rivolo, but argue…