Fergusson, Re, (1980) 40 N.S.R.(2d) 223 (ProbCt)
| Judge | O Hearn, J. |
| Court | Probate Court of Nova Scotia (Canada) |
| Case Date | January 21, 1980 |
| Jurisdiction | Nova Scotia |
| Citations | (1980), 40 N.S.R.(2d) 223 (ProbCt) |
Fergusson, Re (1980), 40 N.S.R.(2d) 223 (ProbCt);
73 A.P.R. 223
MLB headnote and full text
Re Fergusson
(No. 35346)
Indexed As: Fergusson, Re
Nova Scotia Probate Court
O Hearn, J.
January 21, 1980.
Summary:
This headnote contains no summary.
Wills - Topic 409
Testamentary capacity - Mental disabilities - Confused state of mind - A testator, age 68, was hospitalized on September 5, 1978, in a confused state of mind - The testator signed a will while in the hospital on September 16, 1978 - The testator died on September 20, 1978 - The Nova Scotia Probate Court dismissed an application for proof of the will in solemn form and set aside the probate granted in common form - The Probate Court stated that the testator did not recover from his confused state of mind which existed on his admission to the hospital (see paragraph 120) - The Probate Court stated that the testator did not have an understanding of what was being done respecting his will while he was in the hospital.
Wills - Topic 305
Testamentary capacity - General principles - Requirement that a testator understand what is being done - The Nova Scotia Probate Court stated that a testator must understand what is being done and that it is not enough to show verbal agreement by a testator to a suggested plan (see paragraph 117).
Wills - Topic 534
Testamentary capacity - Evidence, onus of proof - The Nova Scotia Probate Court stated that the burden of proof of testamentary capacity is on the proponents of a will (see paragraph 99).
Barristers and Solicitors - Topic 1608
Relationship with client - Conflict of interest, resulting from lawyer's relations - The Nova Scotia Probate Court stated that the propriety of a lawyer acting as legal advisor to close relatives is questionable - The Probate Court stated that every legal advisor has a duty to provide his client with disinterested advice (see paragraph 104).
Cases Noticed:
In the Estate of Bohrmann, Caesar and Watmough v. Bohrmann, [1938] 1 O.E.R. 271, refd to. [para. 112].
Billinghurst v. Vickers (1810), 1 Phill. Ecc. 187; 1 E.R. 956, refd to. [para. 112].
Wood v. Wood (1811), 1 Phill. Ecc. 357; 161 E.R. 1010, refd to. [para. 112].
Parker v. Felgate (1883), 8 P.D. 171, refd to. [para. 113].
Re Seabrook; Dunne v. Dundas et al. (1978), 4 E.T.R. 135, refd to. [para. 114].
Leger v. Poirier, [1944] 3 D.L.R. 1 (S.C.C.), refd to, [para. 117].
Authors and Works Noticed:
Annual Statement of the General Council of the Bar 1955, p. 21 [para. 104].
Counsel:
James S. Cowan, for the executors named in the will;
B.M. Nickerson, Q.C., and Mrs. Elizabeth Roscoe, for Hilda Evelyn Fergusson;
Merlin Nunn, and John Arnold, for the infant beneficiaries under the will.
This case was heard by O HEARN, J., of the Nova Scotia Probate Court. The judgment of O HEARN, J., was delivered on January 21, 1980.
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Fergusson's Will, Re; Fergusson and Fergusson v. Fergusson, (1981) 43 N.S.R.(2d) 89 (CA)
...This case arose out of an application for proof in solemn form of a will. The Nova Scotia Probate Court in a judgment reported, 40 N.S.R.(2d) 223; 73 A.P.R. 223 , dismissed the application and held that the testator lacked testamentary capacity. The proponents of the will appealed. The Nov......
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Hunt v. Smolis-Hunt, (1998) 224 A.R. 68 (QB)
...refd to. [para. 4]. Aleksiuk v. Aleksiuk (1991), 112 A.R. 298; 31 R.F.L.(3d) 330 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 5]. Ferguson's Will, Re (1981), 40 N.S.R.(2d) 223; 73 A.P.R. 223 (Prob. Ct.), affd. (1981), 43 N.S.R.(2d) 89; 81 A.P.R. 89 (C.A.), refd to. [para. Harmes Estate, Re, [1943] 1 D.L.R. 65 (......
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Fergusson's Will, Re; Fergusson and Fergusson v. Fergusson, (1981) 43 N.S.R.(2d) 89 (CA)
...This case arose out of an application for proof in solemn form of a will. The Nova Scotia Probate Court in a judgment reported, 40 N.S.R.(2d) 223; 73 A.P.R. 223 , dismissed the application and held that the testator lacked testamentary capacity. The proponents of the will appealed. The Nov......