In the Matter of the Estate of Arnetta Nichols Corprew f/k/a Arnetta Evette Nichols

── In the Matter of the Estate of Arnetta Nichols Corprew f/k/a Arnetta Evette Nichols ── Court: Court of Chancery of Delaware Date: May 07, 2026 Category: General COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DANIELLE GIBBS LEONARD L. WILLIAMS JUSTICE CENTER MAGISTRATE IN CHANCERY 500 NORTH KING STREET, SUITE 11400 WILMINGTON, DE 19801-3734 Date Submitted: April 9, 2026 Date Decided: May 7, 2026 Timothy S. Ferry, Esquire Rhonda Corprew Ferry Joseph, P.A. 2133 Bizzone Circle 1521 Concord Pike, Suite 202 Virginia Beach, VA 23464 Wilmington, DE 19803 Roger O. Corprew, Jr. Sean Moore 282 Windbrooke Lane 603 Avenue E Viriginia Beach, VA 23462 West Point, GA 31833 Re: In the Matter of the Estate of Arnetta Nichols Corprew, C.A. No. 2025-1008-DG Dear Counsel and Beneficiaries: This letter report addresses the issues raised by the parties during the April 9, 2026, evidentiary hearing on Petitioner Milton D. Moore’s petition to probate a copy of the Last Will and Testament (“Will”) of Arnetta Nichols Corprew (“Decedent”). 1 For the reasons I explain below, I conclude that Decedent did not revoke the Will and that the copy accurately reflects the 1 See generally Amended Pet. to Admit Copy of Will to Probate, Dkt. 24 (“Am. Pet.”). The Decedent was also formerly known as Arnetta Evette Nicholas. Id. ¶ 4. C.A. No. 2025-1008-DG May 7, 2026 Page 2 of 11 Will’s terms and Decedent’s testamentary intent. Therefore, I recommend the Court enter an order admitting the copy to probate. I. BACKGROUND 2 On November 1, 2000, Decedent executed the Will in King County, Washington.3 To assist with drafting the Will, Decedent engaged Janine A. Lawless, Esquire of The Lawless Partnership in Seattle. 4 The Will was signed by two witnesses and accompanied by an affidavit signed by Decedent and another witness.5 When Decedent executed the Will, she was married to Robert Austin Corprew and had no children. 6 Decedent and her spouse owned a home in Auburn, Washington, and real property in Washington, D.C. 7 Decedent and her spouse resided in the Auburn, Washington home. 2 The following factual findings are based on the allegations in the pleadings, supporting exhibits, and testimony presented at the April 9, 2026, evidentiary hearing. 3 Am. Pet. ¶ 6; see Am. Pet. Ex. D. (“Will”). 4 Am. Pet. ¶ 6. 5 See Will 3–4. 6 Will 1. 7 It is not clear whether Decedent or her spouse, or the two together, owned these properties prior to Robert’s death, but Decedent owned the properties by the time of her death. -2- C.A. No. 2025-1008-DG May 7, 2026 Page 3 of 11 Under the terms of the Will, all of Decedent’s tangible property would be distributed in accordance with a “written memorandum” that Decedent intended to leave at her death. 8 If no such memorandum was written, the Will bequeathed all of Decedent’s property to Robert or, if he predeceased her, to the beneficiaries of her estate in substantially equal shares.9 Next, the Will disposed of Decedent’s real property in Washington, D.C.10 Decedent bequeathed 75% of her interest in the D.C. property to her nephew, Petitioner, and divided the remaining 25% between Decedent’s sister, Iolene Delores Moore,11 and nephew, Sean Erique Moore.12 The Will next discussed the residuary estate. Decedent bequeathed the remaining property to her husband Robert. If Robert pre-deceased her, half of the residuary estate would be divided among Milton, Iolene, and Sean Moore. The other half would be divided among Decedent’s brother-in-law, Roderick O. Corprew, 13 her 8 Will 1. 9 Will ¶ 2. 10 Will ¶ 3. 11 Iolene Moore was also known