The List Read Free Page A

“Yes. I’m sure everything is fine. I’d just like to skim through them.”
    The older lawyer didn’t budge. “Renny, did you study holographic wills in law school?” he asked, staring past Renny at a spot on the wall behind him.
    Renny stopped. “Of course. It’s a will in the testator’s own handwriting, usually without all the legal boilerplate language and the formality of witnesses.”
    â€œThat’s correct.” McClintock paused. “I don’t know how to say this except to ask you point-blank. Did your father ever tell you he had prepared a holographic will?”
    A cold chill ran down Renny’s spine. “No. He gave me a copy of the will you prepared for him a few months after my mother died.”
    â€œI see,” McClintock said. “He never gave you an updated will prepared by another lawyer?”
    â€œNo. You were the only lawyer he used. Tell me, Mr. McClintock, what’s going on.”
    McClintock sighed. “After your father’s death I had my secretary pull his file to prepare the documents for the probate court.” He opened the folder on his desk. “Inside was this.” He held up a plain white envelope. “As you know, in the will I prepared you were the residual beneficiary of almost all your father’s estate. Apparently, a month later he brought this envelope by the office and asked my secretary to put it in his file. I don’t know what he told her—she doesn’t remember and probably thought it was a list of assets or the location of important records.” He handed the envelope to Renny. “Read it.”
    Renny took out three sheets of paper. No question, it was his father’s handwriting, a familiar pattern of printing and cursive. It was dated one month after the lengthy will prepared by McClintock. There were only four paragraphs:
    I, Henry Lawrence Jacobson, being of sound and disposing mind, do hereby revoke all prior Wills made by me and make this my Last Will and Testament.
    I TEM O NE
    I hereby will, devise and bequeath to my son, Josiah Fletchall Jacobson, all my personal belongings and the gold coin collection contained in my safe deposit box at Planters & Merchants Bank. I further will, give and devise to my son all my right, title and interest to any and all assets, tangible and intangible, in the Covenant List of South Carolina, Ltd. This bequest is subject to the usual and customary conditions precedent.
    I TEM T WO
    I hereby, will, devise and bequeath all the rest, remainder, and residue of my estate, including all real estate, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, cash, or other property of any type, tangible and intangible, in equal shares to the Medical College of South Carolina, The Citadel, the Charleston Historical Society, and the Episcopal Parish of St. Alban’s.
    I TEM T HREE
    I hereby appoint Jefferson McClintock as executor of my estate.
    Henry Lawrence Jacobson
    The other sheet was a report from a local psychiatrist, Dr. Lewis Abbott, dated the same day as the will.
    To Whom It May Concern:
    I have this day examined Henry Lawrence Jacobson and can state that he is mentally competent to handle his legal affairs. He understands the natural objects of his affection and has informed me of his intention to prepare a Last Will and Testament in which the majority of his assets are bequeathed to charitable institutions. He has indicated that he will make a bequest to his son, Josiah Fletchall Jacobson, consistent with his desire and intentions for him.
    Lewis Abbott, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry
    Renny let the papers fall into his lap and stared for several seconds at the floor in front of McClintock’s desk. Every ounce of hope for the future drained out of him in the two minutes it took to read the papers. In shock, he didn’t even have the strength to ask why.
    The lawyer cleared his throat and broke the awkward silence. “We know the