For 36 years, Ward Duchett lived in Washington, DC, with his sister Mary in her home. On numerous occasions, Mary had promised Ward she would leave him her real estate if he remained single and continued to live with her. At age 60, Mary became seriously ill and was put in a hospital. Three weeks later, her sister Maude, who was a nurse in Philadelphia, came to Washington and took Mary home even though her doctors advised against it and she did not ask to be taken home. Maude took complete charge of Mary, repeatedly prevented other relatives, including Ward, from seeing Mary, and told them she was doing it on doctor’s orders. 

That statement was false. Mary was in a very weak physical condition, sometimes could recognize people only by their voices, and could not sit up or carry on a conversation. Mary secretly arranged for a lawyer to come and prepare a will, which was quickly executed. It left everything to Maude in “consideration for her kindness, untiring devotion, and personal service to me during my illness when no other relative offered or came to do for me, and without hope of reward.” The will was witnessed by the lawyer and by a cousin who was very close to Maude. Mary died the next day. There was no evidence that Mary had previously felt any ill will to