Stauffer Estate

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Allen M. Stearne,

The appeals are from a definitive decree of distribution of the orphans’ court awarding to Marie B. Ducellier, as surviving spouse of Russell R. Stauffer, who died intestate, her share of the estate under the intestate law. Claimant remarried after decedent’s death. She claimed as surviving spouse under an alleged common law marriage, following an illicit or meretricious relation with decedent. Decedent’s only other next of kin are two sisters, the appellants.

An experienced and able auditor heard the testimony and carefully weighed all the evidence. He…