Draper v. Pauley

In this appeal, we determine whether the signatures of the testator and subscribing witnesses to a testamentary document comply with the requirements of Code § 64.1-49.

Irene Draper and her brother lived with their niece Patricia Pauley and her family for a number of years. In March 1995, Draper was a patient at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville. On March 1, Pauley, Alice Butler, Darlene Butler, and two children visited Draper at the hospital. During this visit, Draper indicated she wanted to execute a will. Tracy Collier, a hospital employee who was a notary public, was called to…