In Re Estate of Worrell

A dramshop action filed in the circuit court of Madison County by Dennis Barnes against tavern owner Mary Worrell was a prelude to these proceedings in probate. After the filing of the dramshop action and service of summons on Mrs. Worrell, but before it was tried, she died intestate on July 19, 1978. Apparently, however, Barnes did not learn of her death until approximately nine months later. In the meantime, the following events transpired in the probate division of the Madison County circuit court:

August 22, 1978 Letters of administration were issued to Mrs. Worrell’s son-in-law, Dawson…