University of Illinois v. Stith

Signa Marie Stith, the widow of Richard Barnes Stith, obtained three extensions of time within which to renounce her deceased husband’s will. The validity of those extensions was subsequently challenged by certain charities (appellants here) who are the residuary beneficiaries under the will. The circuit court of Marshall County vacated the second and third extensions, the Appellate Court for the Third Judicial District reversed the vacation order (105 Ill. App. 2d 429), and we granted leave to appeal.

The controlling statute is section 17 of the Probate Act (111. Rev. Stat. 1965, ch. 3, par.…