Commentary on Judgment Cass. civ., Section II, Ord. no. 25866 of 2024: Nullity of the Will and Standing to Challenge

The recent ordinance of the Court of Cassation, no. 25866 of September 27, 2024, ruled on a matter of particular relevance in inheritance law: the standing to challenge a will declared null and void. The case originated from a dispute between A.A. and B.B. concerning the testamentary succession of C.C., in which the appellant raised issues of the will's nullity and the participation of other co-heirs in the proceedings.

Context of the dispute

The Court of Salerno had granted B.B.'s claim for the property, arguing that he had acquired ownership through testamentary succession. A.A., contesting the validity of the will, appealed, but the Court of Appeal of Salerno confirmed the first-instance decision, deeming the appellant's objections unfounded.

A.A.'s appeal to the Court of Cassation highlighted two main grounds: the nullity of the judgment for violation of procedural rules and the failure to examine decisive facts. However, the Court declared the appeal inadmissible, emphasizing the importance of specificity and clarity in formulating objections.

Legal principles addressed in the judgment

The assessment of the decisiveness of the oath's wording is left to the discretion of the trial judge, reviewable in the Court of Cassation only for logical or legal errors.

• Nullity of the will: The Court reiterated that the nullity of a will can be raised at any time, but standing to challenge belongs only to those with an interest.
• Burden of proof: The appellant has the burden to specify the violated rules and the reasons for contesting the lower courts' decision, otherwise the appeal is inadmissible.
• Decisive oath: The Court clarified that the judge has broad discretion regarding the suitability of the oath to resolve the dispute.

Conclusions

Judgment no. 25866 of 2024 by the Court of Cassation highlights the need for a correct approach to appeals to the Court of Cassation, emphasizing how a lack of specificity in objections leads to the inadmissibility of the appeal. It is crucial for parties involved in inheritance disputes to engage experienced professionals who can guide defense strategies in compliance with procedural rules.