In Re Ellis Estate

The proponent of a document purported to be the last will and testament of William B. Ellis appeals the decision of a Wayne County Probate Court jury in a will contest. The jury found the will invalid because the testator lacked the requisite testamentary capacity at the time he executed the will.

The proponent of the will is the grandniece of the testator. She testified that upon the request of her father, the testator’s nephew, she dropped off her father and the testator at the office of Beatrice Johnson, a real estate broker, and returned for them approximately two hours later. She stated…