Jones v. Hollingsworth

The single issue raised in this appeal presents a “hornbook” question of elementary contract law. What is the legal effect of a “condition” which is an event within the control of a party who seeks to avoid the contract?

The parties to the contract are the heirs of Claude Hol-lingsworth, deceased. Proponent, Howard Hollingsworth, is the named executor of Claude Hollingsworth’s purported last will. Contestants, J. Y. Hollingsworth, Max Hollings-worth, Fred Hollingsworth, and Elaine Bollam are Howard’s siblings who have contested both the will and an inter vivos transaction between Howard and…