Estate of Lando

Yolan Goldberger, next-of-kin of decedent Maximillian N. Lando, and her assignees, appeal the denial of their petition to revoke probate of decedent's holographic will on the ground that the will is not entirely in decedent's handwriting. Respondents are beneficiaries under the will — the University of Minnesota, the Attorney General of California (representing a charitable trust for the benefit of the People of Los Angeles ( Estate of Schloss, 56 Cal.2d 248, 257 [ 14 Cal. Rptr. 643 , 363 P.2d 875 ])), the City of Los Angeles, and the County of Los Angeles — and the executor of the will Crocker-Citizens National Bank.

The will begins with the title, "Last Will and Testament of Maximillian N. Lando." The title and the matter following it, which includes the dispositive provisions, the date, and the signature, are entirely in the handwriting of the decedent. Above the handwritten title, "Last Will and Testament of Maximillian N. Lando," is an impressed letterhead:

The number "38" has been written in ink after "CALIF.," a line has been drawn through "HEMPSTEAD 4835," and a handwritten "HO-3-0594" has has been added. Thus, the impressed letterhead has been…