West Virginia Code
Article 5. Production, Probate and Record of Wills
§41-5-16. Statements of Particulars in Will Contests

For the trial of any appeal under the provisions of sections seven and ten of this article, or for the trial of any issues to be submitted to a jury under the provisions of sections eight and eleven of this article, if good cause therefor be shown, and there be no unreasonable delay in applying for such order, the circuit court, or judge thereof in vacation, may order the contestants to file a particular statement of the facts expected to be proved by them at the trial, and may stay the proceedings until a reasonable time after such order is complied with; and in like manner after the contestants have filed such statement, if good cause therefor appear, and there be no unreasonable delay in applying for such order, such court, or judge thereof in vacation, may order the proponents of the will to file a particular statement of the facts expected to be proved by them at the trial; which statement, in either case, shall be made under the oath of the parties or their attorneys to the effect that the affiants believe the same will be supported by evidence at the trial. If either the contestants or the proponents fail to file any such statement when so required, or if any such statement after the same has been filed be adjudged insufficient in whole or in part, the court, or the judge thereof in vacation, may, as justice may require, grant further time for filing same, or permit the statement filed to be amended, or may, at the trial, exclude the evidence offered by the party in default as to any matter which he has so failed to state or has insufficiently stated. But no statement which is sufficient to inform the adverse parties of the nature and substance of the facts to be shown against or in support of the will shall be adjudged insufficient; nor shall any such statement in any manner affect the burden or order of proof imposed by law on the parties.

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