Estate of Strickman

The sister and nieces of Rose Strickman, deceased, appeal from an order admitting her will to probate, following a nonjury trial of their will contest. (Prob. Code, §§ 370-373) On December 11, 1962 decedent executed a three-page typewritten will, prepared for her by attorney Ralph Nathanson. All of the dispositive provisions are set forth on pages 1 and 2. Page 3 contains the appointment of Nathanson as executor and Max Brown as alternate executor, a request that any surviving pets be placed in suitable homes, a signatory line for the testatrix, an attestation clause, and two signatory lines for the witnesses. No question is raised as to the validity of the execution of the will. In the summer of 1963, the testatrix decided to substitute Brown for Nathanson as executor. She took the will to Brown's home and discussed the matter with him and his wife. She told them that the reason for the change was "due to the fact that the executor at that time was an attorney and she was leaving all her money to charity, and knowing how the attorneys worked, that the money would soon become dissipated and the charities would get very little." The testatrix also stated that she desired to change…