Wanamaker v. Wanamaker

This is a proceeding in probate for appointment of an administrator with will annexed in the estate of Robert Wanamaker, deceased. Jeff Wanamaker, deceased’s son, appeals those parts of an order which denied his petitions for appointment of himself or his nominee and granted the petition of deceased’s wife, respondent Ada Carr Wanamaker, for appointment of her nominee.

Robert Wanamaker, a Nevada resident, died in an airplane crash in November 1972. He disposed of his $2 Vi million estate in a brief holographic will:

Robert Wanamaker”

The will was admitted to probate in Nevada, and respondent, a Nevada resident, was appointed administratrix with will annexed.

To administer the $!/•> million portion of the estate located in California, appellant, also a Nevada resident, petitioned for probate of the will in Los Angeles Superior Court and for appointment of himself as administrator with will annexed. Appellant later petitioned in the alternative for appointment of his nominee, Fred Amesbuiy, a California resident. Respondent opposed appellant’s petitions for appointment and petitioned for appointment of her own nominee, Stanley Hahn, a California resident.

The court…