Giancarlo Mignardi

Following the dismissal of an application to admit a suicide note as a holograph will, the court determined the costs payable to the successful respondents.

The court found that the applicant acted unreasonably in pursuing the application to oust legacies in the prior will, but acknowledged the estate bore some responsibility due to the testator's actions.

The court ordered blended costs, with the applicant paying a significant portion and the remainder payable out of the estate.

The applicant sought to admit the deceased's suicide note into probate as a holograph will.

The deceased had a history of heavy alcohol and drug use and wrote the profanity-laced note shortly before taking his own life, attempting to disinherit his spouse.

The court found that suspicious circumstances existed, shifting the burden to the applicant to prove testamentary capacity.

Given the evidence of the deceased's intoxication and the lack of a definitive expert opinion on capacity, the court concluded the applicant failed to meet the burden.

The application to admit the note as a holograph will was dismissed.