In Re Estate of Virginia Spears

Syllabus

This appeal involves a challenge to certain decisions made by the probate court pursuant to a petition to ratify the decisions of the estate's executor. Although we affirm the probate court's determination that a $250,000.00 debt once owed to the decedent is now extinguished and also affirm its determination that a certain annuity policy should be transferred to the estate, we reverse the probate court's determination that insurance policies owned by the decedent at her death should be transferred to her grandchildren. Further, we reverse the trial court's order to the extent that it directs two other annuity policies to be directed to the decedent's grandchildren. These other two annuities are also assets of the estate that are subject to distribution in accordance with the decedent's will.