In re the Estate of Richards

MEMORANDUM OPINION

(August 15, 2003)

Before the Court is Petitioner’s motion to declare the original of Eustace Recardo Richards’ Last Will and Testament lost and to substitute a copy of the same will to probate decedent’s estate. The Court will grant Petitioner’s motion.

FACTS

Peggy Smith (“Petitioner”) is the niece of Eustace Recardo Richards (“decedent”). During his lifetime, decedent never married and never had a child. He died on June 17,2001.

On March 17th, 1999, decedent requested an attorney in the office of the Legal Services of the Virgin Islands (“Legal Services”) to prepare his Last…