final Flashcards
What language raises a presumption of testamentary intent?
language such as “This is my last will” raises a presumption of testamentary intent, but the presumption is rebuttable.
When is extrinsic evidence admissible for determining a will?
Extrinsic evidence is admissible to show testamentary intent, presumably, lack of testamentary intent.
How may a will be revoked?
A will may be revoked by operation of law, a subsequently written instrument, or by physical act
How do you revoke a will by written instrument?
There must be a present intent to revoke and the instrument must be executed with the same formalities as are required for the execution of a will
Can a holographic will revoke a typewritten, attested will?
If the state recognizes holographic wills, a valid holographic will may revoke a typewritten, attested will
What acts generally are sufficient to revoke a will.
Burning, tearing, obliterating, or canceling a material portion of the will
Under common law the act must be shown to have had an actual effect on the will or its language
Under UPC: words of cancellation must be on the will itself but need not touch any of the words of the will
What is a purging statute?
In a common law state, where a interested witness is involved, a purging statute will not void the whole will, rather it will simply void the interest to the beneficiary who is a witness
What are the requirements for a contract to make a will at common law?
at common law, a contract to make a will need not be in writing unless land is involved, some states require a writing for all contracts to make a will.
What are the requirements for a contract to make a will under the UPC?
Under the UPC, a contract to make a will can be established by (1) provisions in the will stating the material provisions of the contract (2) an express reference in a will to the contract and extrinsic evidence proving the terms of the contract or (3) a writing signed by the decedent evidencing the contract
When does the cy pres doctrine apply?
In a will or trust, if the testator/settlor had a general charitable intent and it is impossible or impracticable to use the gift for the purpose indicated, the doctrine of cy pres allows the court to apply the property to another purpose as close as possible to the original one
What are some of a trustee’s fiduciary duties?
(1) Exercise her powers in accordance with the terms of the trust; failure to do so constitutes a breach of trust
(2) Duty to act prudently, diligently, and in good faith
(3) duty of undivided loyalty to the trust and its beneficiaries
Can a beneficiary interfere with the exercise of the trustee’s discretion in a discretionary trust?
No, unless the trustee abuses her power.
Even if a trustee’s power is absolute, a court will interfere if the trustee acts in bad faith or dishonesty
Can a trustee enter transactions with the trust?
No. This is self-dealing. Absent court approval or a contrary provision, a trustee cannot do this.
What can a beneficiary of a trust do if a prohibited transaction takes place?
The beneficiary can (1) set aside the transaction (2) recover the profit made by the trustee or (3) ratify the transaction
What must the trustee do upon termination of the trust?
Upon termination of the trust. the trustee must distribute the property in accordance with the terms of the trust
What is presumed regarding the cy pres doctrine in states that follow the UTC?
UTC states presume general charitable intent
Do courts give full faith and credit to divorce decrees of the courts of sister states?
Yes, if the sister state had proper jurisdiction and the decree is valid in the sister state
What is the jurisdictional requirement for granting a divorce decree?
the jurisdictional requirement is satisfied if one of the spouses is domiciled in the state granting the divorce
There is a rebuttable presumption that the state granting the divorce is the bona fide domicile of the plaintiff
Does an ex parte divorce decree have any effect on disputes over marital property?
NO, unless the property is located in the rendering state. Otherwise such disputes can only be resolved by a court having personal jurisdiction over both of the parties
A court has jurisdiction to initially enter or modify a child custody order or visitation order if the state (1) is the child’s “home state”, or (2) was the child’s home state within the past 6 months and the child is absent from the state, but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in the state. What is a child’s “home state”?
The “Home State” is the state in which the child lived with a parent (or person acting as a parent) for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before the commencement of the proceeding (or the state where the child has lived since birth if younger than 6 months old), disregarding temporary absences
What does the Federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act require?
Requires states to enforce a custody order of another state, but only if the state entering the custody decree had home state jurisdiction.
What are the jurisdictional standards of the Federal Parental Kidnapping Act?
They are substantially similar to the UCCJEA
What is the standard that applies in awarding custody ?
Courts will apply the best interest of the child standard
What factors are considered in making a custody determination?
(1) Wishes of the parents
(2) wishes of the child
(3) the relationship the child has with parents, siblings, and others
(4) the child’s adjustment to home, school, and other community, and
(5) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved