Van Raalte v. Graff

Statutory will contest. The question below was whether one Jacob Lampert, the testator, was fraudulently misled or wrongfully influenced in the execution of his alleged will.

The contestants were nieces and nephews of the testator. The proponents of the alleged will, all named as defendants, were a sister and her husband, other relatives, friends and sundry charitable institutions. Rosa Graff, the sister, was the chief beneficiary.

The court withdrew the issue of fraud from the jury and submitted the question of undue influence. The jury sustained the will and, after an unavailing motion for a…