Estate of McKenzie

This is an appeal from an order approving the executor's accounts and from the decree of distribution in the estate of Aimee P. McKenzie, deceased. Aimee P. McKenzie died on December 19, 1955, and after her will was admitted to probate her husband, Earl L. McKenzie, was appointed executor of her estate. The McKenzies were cattle ranchers. After Aimee died Mr. McKenzie obtained an order from the superior court to continue the ranching operations in which he and his wife had been engaged. The business continued to be conducted in the same manner in which it had been conducted prior to Aimee's death. The ranching operations were extensive. The herd numbered about 1,800 head. One lease covered 20,000 acres of land of which approximately 2,000 acres were used for raising crops. Besides the ranching operations Aimee's estate consisted of certain real property, exclusive of real property held in joint tenancy, and an inheritance due Aimee referred to as the "Cone Inheritance." Most of the property, except the Cone Inheritance and one parcel of real property, was community property. The total value of the property subject to probate in Aimee's estate was appraised at $363,604.58. The…