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Sample Essay Questions - professorbeyer.com

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Wills & Trusts– <strong>Sample</strong> <strong>Essay</strong> <strong>Questions</strong>Question 9.Daisy, a widow, dies leaving a valid will that devises “all my property in equal shares to myson (Henry), my sister (Margaret), and my nephew (Sam).” All of the above parties surviveDaisy. Daisy is also survived by Fred (Henry’s son and Daisy’s only grandchild). Three monthsafter Daisy’s death, Henry files a written, signed, and notarized instrument with the probate court(with a copy delivered to Daisy’s independent executor) that states: “I hereby renounce anddisclaim any interest passing to me under the will of my mother, Daisy Mae Franks.” Is Fredentitled to any of Daisy’s estate? Give reasons for your answer.Question 10. 2Tess was a widow with two adult children: Sam, from whom Tess was estranged, andDonna, to whom Tess was devoted. In 1992, Tess validly executed a typewritten will containingthe following provisions:A. My Bigco stock to my friend, Fred.B. The residue of my estate to my daughter, Donna.During the next few years Tess and Sam reconciled. In 1995, Tess prepared anothertypewritten will containing the following provisions:A. I hereby revoke all prior wills.B. My Bigco stock to my son, Sam.C. The residue of my estate to my daughter, Donna.Tess took this will to the house of Wit, a neighbor, declared to Wit that it was her will, andsigned the will in Wit’s presence. Wit then signed the will as witness, although he did not knowits contents.Tess next took the will to the house of Ness, another neighbor, and asked Ness to “witnessthis paper.” Ness signed the will as witness, although he did not understand that it was a will.After Tess’s death, both wills were found in her safe deposit box. The 1992 will had a large“X” drawn across all of its pages. The 1995 will was unmarred.Tess is survived by Donna, Sam and Fred. Her net estate consisted of her Bigco, stock(worth $400,000) and $600,000 in cash.2Adapted from California Bar Examination Question 6 (July 1996).Page 4 of 5

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