In Re Will of Mucci

HEDRICK, Judge.

Since the letter dated 25 September 1971 was admittedly in the handwriting of and signed by Dr. Mucci, our primary *431concern on this appeal is whether the letter was intended by Dr. Mucci to be a testamentary disposition of his property.

“The distinguishing feature of all genuine testamentary instruments, whatever their form, is that the paper-writing must appear to be written animo testandi.

It is essential that it should appear from the character of the instrument, and the circumstances under which it is made, that the testator intended it should operate as his will, or as a…