Hamm (D), an attorney, agreed to draft a will for Emmick. Lucas and others (P) were designated as beneficiaries of Emmick's estate, and D agreed to draft that will. In drafting it, D violated the rule against restraints on alienation and the rule against perpetuities. The provisions purporting to bequeath a portion of Emmick's property to P were not valid. P was forced to reach a settlement with Emmick's blood relatives and lost $75,000 of the money P should have received if the will had been drafted properly. P sued D for negligence and a breach of contract. D demurred, and the court sustained the demurrer without leave to amend. P appealed.

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.