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Estate of Van Sickler

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
Jun 14, 1983
461 A.2d 499 (Me. 1983)

Opinion

Argued May 11, 1983.

Decided June 14, 1983.

Appeal from the Superior Court, Piscataquis County.

Paine Lynch, Martha J. Harris (orally), Bangor, for plaintiff.

Hale Hamlin, Barry K. Mills (orally), Ellsworth, for defendant.

Before McKUSICK, C.J., and GODFREY, NICHOLS, ROBERTS, VIOLETTE and WATHEN, JJ.


MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

On appeal from the allowance of his father's will by the Probate Court, Piscataquis County, Robert Van Sickler challenges only the court's finding that the will was not the product of undue influence. Our review of the record reveals ample evidence to support the conclusion below that the contestant had failed to sustain his burden of proof. See 18-A M.R.S.A. § 3-407; Estate of Turf, 435 A.2d 1087, 1090 (Me. 1981).

By cross-appeal the appellee complains of the failure of the Probate Court to award costs. 18-A M.R.S.A. § 1-601 and M.R.Prob.P. 54(d)(1) authorize the award of costs in the discretion of the court. Estate of Mitchell, 443 A.2d 961, 964 (Me. 1982). There was no abuse of discretion in this instance.

Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the Probate Court.

The entry is:

Judgment affirmed.

Costs on appeal awarded to appellee.

All concurring.


Summaries of

Estate of Van Sickler

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
Jun 14, 1983
461 A.2d 499 (Me. 1983)
Case details for

Estate of Van Sickler

Case Details

Full title:ESTATE OF Donald Robert VAN SICKLER

Court:Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Date published: Jun 14, 1983

Citations

461 A.2d 499 (Me. 1983)