Behie Estate, Re, (1977) 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361 (ProbCt)

JudgeAnderson, J.
CourtProbate Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
Case DateMay 02, 1977
JurisdictionNova Scotia
Citations(1977), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361 (ProbCt)

Behie Estate, Re (1977), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361 (ProbCt);

    32 A.P.R. 361

MLB headnote and full text

Re Behie's Estate

Indexed As: Behie Estate, Re

Nova Scotia Probate Court

Anderson, J.

May 2, 1977.

Summary:

This case arose out of the application by the administratrix of an estate to have a lost will proved in solemn form. After an old lady died her will could not be found, although the will was known to have been in a certain place in her house 3 weeks before she died. The administratrix of the old lady's estate applied to have the lost will proved.

The Nova Scotia Probate Court allowed the application and found that the will was proved. The Probate Court found that the presumption of revocation of a lost will was rebutted by the evidence.

Wills - Topic 2342

Revocation of wills - Revocation by act of testator - Lost will - Presumption of revocation where will is lost - After an old lady died her will could not be found, although the will was known to have been in a certain place in her house 3 weeks before she died - The Nova Scotia Probate Court set out the principles applicable to the proof of a lost will and the effect of the presumption of revocation of a lost will - The Probate Court found that the presumption was rebutted by the evidence and that a valid will existed at the time of the old lady's death - The Probate Court found that the will was proved by the recollection of the witnesses to the drawing and execution of the will.

Cases Noticed:

MacBurnie v. Patriquin (1976), 14 N.S.R.(2d) 680; 11 A.P.R. 680, appld. [para. 5].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Feeney, Thomas G., The Canadian Law of Wills: Probate, p. 93 [para. 4].

Williams On Wills (2nd Ed.), p. 106 [para. 4].

Counsel:

Linden M. Smith, Q.C., and H.W. How, Q.C., for Clara Keddy;

C. Hanson Dowell, Q.C., for the Estate of Clara Josephine Behie;

Vincent P. Allen, Q.C., for six heirs.

This case was heard at Halifax, Nova Scotia, before ANDERSON, J., of the Nova Scotia Probate Court.

On May 2, 1977, ANDERSON, J., delivered the following judgment:

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4 practice notes
  • Sheen v. Sheen, 2004 MBCA 137
    • Canada
    • Manitoba Court of Appeal (Manitoba)
    • 29 September 2004
    ...Major, [1930] S.C.R. 252, refd to. [para. 30]. Caldwell, Re, [1951] O.W.N. 721 (Surr. Ct.), refd to. [para. 30]. Behie Estate, Re (1977), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361; 32 A.P.R. 361 (Prob. Ct.), refd to. [para. 30]. Wagenhoffer Estate, Re (1983), 26 Sask.R. 30 (Surr. Ct.), revd. (1986), 22 E.T.R. 60 (......
  • Green Estate, Re, (2001) 300 A.R. 54 (QB)
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • 20 September 2001
    ...13 E.T.R. 212 (N.W.T.S.C.), refd to. [para. 57, footnote 27]. Behie Estate, Re (1977), 24 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 35 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.), affing. (1977), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361; 32 A.P.R. 361 (Prob. Ct.), refd to. [para. 58, footnote Alston v. Wagar Estate (1996), 10 E.T.R.(2d) 274 (Ont. Gen. Div.), refd to. ......
  • Dreger Estate, Re, (1982) 38 A.R. 44 (NWTSC)
    • Canada
    • Northwest Territories Supreme Court of Northwest Territories (Canada)
    • 7 April 1982
    ...4]. Lefebvre v. Major, [1930] S.C.R. 252, refd to. [para. 4]. Re Behie's Estate (1978), 24 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 35 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.); affm. 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361; 32 A.P.R. 301, refd to. [para. Re Barker Estate (1933), 6 M.P.R. 327 (N.B.C.A.), refd to. [para. 4]. In Re Moore's Will (1940), 15 M.P.R. 357......
  • Behie Estate, Re, (1977) 24 N.S.R.(2d) 1 (CA)
    • Canada
    • Nova Scotia Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
    • 28 November 1977
    ...applied to have the lost will proved. The Nova Scotia Probate Court allowed the application and found that the will was proved. See 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361, 32 A.P.R. 361 . The Probate Court found that the presumption of revocation of a lost will was rebutted by the evidence. Four heirs-at-law T......
4 cases
  • Sheen v. Sheen, 2004 MBCA 137
    • Canada
    • Manitoba Court of Appeal (Manitoba)
    • 29 September 2004
    ...Major, [1930] S.C.R. 252, refd to. [para. 30]. Caldwell, Re, [1951] O.W.N. 721 (Surr. Ct.), refd to. [para. 30]. Behie Estate, Re (1977), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361; 32 A.P.R. 361 (Prob. Ct.), refd to. [para. 30]. Wagenhoffer Estate, Re (1983), 26 Sask.R. 30 (Surr. Ct.), revd. (1986), 22 E.T.R. 60 (......
  • Green Estate, Re, (2001) 300 A.R. 54 (QB)
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • 20 September 2001
    ...13 E.T.R. 212 (N.W.T.S.C.), refd to. [para. 57, footnote 27]. Behie Estate, Re (1977), 24 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 35 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.), affing. (1977), 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361; 32 A.P.R. 361 (Prob. Ct.), refd to. [para. 58, footnote Alston v. Wagar Estate (1996), 10 E.T.R.(2d) 274 (Ont. Gen. Div.), refd to. ......
  • Dreger Estate, Re, (1982) 38 A.R. 44 (NWTSC)
    • Canada
    • Northwest Territories Supreme Court of Northwest Territories (Canada)
    • 7 April 1982
    ...4]. Lefebvre v. Major, [1930] S.C.R. 252, refd to. [para. 4]. Re Behie's Estate (1978), 24 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 35 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.); affm. 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361; 32 A.P.R. 301, refd to. [para. Re Barker Estate (1933), 6 M.P.R. 327 (N.B.C.A.), refd to. [para. 4]. In Re Moore's Will (1940), 15 M.P.R. 357......
  • Behie Estate, Re, (1977) 24 N.S.R.(2d) 1 (CA)
    • Canada
    • Nova Scotia Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
    • 28 November 1977
    ...applied to have the lost will proved. The Nova Scotia Probate Court allowed the application and found that the will was proved. See 23 N.S.R.(2d) 361, 32 A.P.R. 361 . The Probate Court found that the presumption of revocation of a lost will was rebutted by the evidence. Four heirs-at-law T......

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