Woman Leaves $1 Million to Pets, Judge Rejects Will

The following video is Jerry Carnes’ report on the case of Kay Johnston’s estate. Johnston went to attorney Robert Johnson to draft her will. She left $1 million to her fifty cats and six dogs and $50,000 to Kyria Wilhite who was to move into the house and 7 acres to care for the pets. Johnston only knew Wilhite for two weeks prior to drafting this will.

Johnston’s cousin disputed the will. A probate judge rejected the will, finding that Johnston was physically and mentally weakened at the time the will was executed due to cancer, and that attorney Johnson failed to disclose that Wilhite was actually his girlfriend.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this to my attention.