1:04:02
You witnessed Walker's signature
along with. . .
1:04:06
. . .Miss Mary Ann Simpson.
1:04:09
HARDlN: Apparently it will be impossible
for us to contact Miss Simpson.
1:04:13
MATTY:
Mary Ann is a lifelong friend of mine.
1:04:16
She was visiting on her way to Europe.
She'll be in touch on her return.
1:04:19
NED:
Although it's not required.
1:04:21
Witnesses of a will's signing
are often unavailable. . .
1:04:24
. . .when it enters into probate.
lt's not standard, by any means.
1:04:27
HARDlN:
Edmund Walker's death was not standard.
1:04:31
l'm confused. ls there some question
as to the authenticity of the will?
1:04:35
l'm confused too.
1:04:37
You have a problem
with the witnessing. . .
1:04:39
. . .or the signatures?
What are you getting at?
1:04:43
l'm afraid the problem lies elsewhere.
1:04:47
Would anybody mind if l smoked?
1:05:03
No, l don't need my own.
l'll just breathe the air.
1:05:14
HARDlN:
Everything's in order to there.
1:05:16
The problem comes in the language
of the bequest to Heather.
1:05:19
lt's a technical matter.
1:05:21
ln writing the will, Mr. Racine
violated what's known as. . .
1:05:24
. . . ''the rule against perpetuities. ''
1:05:27
lt forbids an inheritance to be passed
down indefinitely for generations.
1:05:31
l knew that a probate judge in Miami
would spot the mistake right away. . .
1:05:35
. . .so l thought l'd bring it up here,
since Edmund had the residence here. . .
1:05:40
. . .and see if l could get a judge
who didn't know estate law as well.
1:05:44
Perhaps find one with the same
kind of training as Mr. Racine.
1:05:48
Unfortunately, my plan backfired.
1:05:51
l ran into a judge who had
other dealings with Mr. Racine. . .
1:05:56
. . .a Judge Costanza.
1:05:58
lt seems there were problems
with an estate in a case 4 years ago.