Translate
Text Highlighter

Bookmark

PDF

Share

Report a problem
AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Docket Number
Attorney(S)
Judges
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Docket Number
Attorney(S)
Judges

MERRELL v. SMITH, SPECIAL ADMR.

WILLS — ARGUMENTS TO MAKE — SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE — JURISDICTION. — Probate court held without jurisdiction to grant specific performance of an oral agreement to make a will.

J. SEABORN HOLT, Associate Justice.

Appellants bring this appeal from a decree, upholding and admitting to probate, the will of Maymie E. Whitmore who died testate August 31, 1954. Appellants contested the will on several grounds, one, — and the only one now considered, — being that the testatrix had made an oral agreement with appellants to leave her property to them. At the trial in Probate Court appellants sought specific performance of this alleged agreement. This appellants could not do in a court of Probate, their remedy for specific performance is in a court of equity. "The Probate Court has no jurisdiction to grant equitable relief," Carter v. Younger, 112 Ark. 483, 166 S.W. 547. See also 57 Am.Jur. 158, 180; Annot., 69 A.L.R. 88. While it properly admitted the will to probate, the Probate Court lacked jurisdiction to decide the issue of specific performance of the alleged oral contract. The case must be and is remanded with directions that it be transferred to equity for further proceedings.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

MERRELL v. SMITH, SPECIAL ADMR
(Nov 26, 1956)