GUIDE TO THE RICHARD V. WELLMAN PAPERS, 1964-2005

Summary Information

Repository
Archives of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
Creator
Wellman, Richard V. (Richard Vance), 1922-2005
Title
Richard V. Wellman Papers
ID
ULC.001
Date [inclusive]
1964-2005
Extent
28.0 Linear feet
Language
English
Scope and Content Abstract
The collection, 1964-2005, includes meeting minutes, drafts, revisions, correspondence, memoranda, and publicity related to the Uniform Probate Code and broader aspects of probate law.
Biographical Abstract
Richard V. Wellman was born in 1922 . He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1949, later teaching there until 1973. In 1974, he joined the faculty of the University of Georgia Law School where he taught as the Alston Professor of Law Emeritus until his retirement in 1990. Wellman was most noted for his contributions to the Uniform Probate Code during his time as Chief Reporter, Education Director, and Executive Director. He was also a life member with the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
Preferred Citation note
[Identification of Item], in the Richard V. Wellman Papers, Archives of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, Biddle Law Library, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, PA.
Funding
Funding for the processing of these papers was made possible by a grant from the ACTEC Foundation.

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Biographical Note

Richard V. Wellman, noted pioneer in probate law, was born in 1922. He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1949, later teaching there until 1973. In 1974, he joined the faculty of the University of Georgia Law School where he taught Property Law and Trust and Estates as the Alston Professor of Law Emeritus until his retirement in 1990.

Through the course of his professorship, Wellman took an active role in improving and enacting more uniform state probate laws. He is most known for his contributions to the Uniform Probate Code during his tenure on the Joint Editorial Board, initially as Chief Reporter then graduating to the roles of Education Director, Executive Director, and Executive Director Emeritus successively. Wellman served and chaired many committees relating to trusts and estates, notably the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act, the Uniform Prudent Investor Act, the Uniform Estate Tax Apportionment, the Uniform Transfer-on-Death Security Registration Act, the Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act, the Uniform Nonprobate Transfers-on-Death Act, and the Uniform Trust Act.

Since his early days as Chief Reporter and his long stint at Education Director for the Joint Editorial Board, Wellman continuously took part in educating about and promoting the Uniform Probate Code. He gave speeches, advised, and wrote extensively on the Uniform Probate Code. Wellman continued his efforts to reform and enact uniform probate law until his death in 2005.

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Scope and Contents note

The Richard V. Wellman papers chiefly include materials related to Wellman's activity drafting and advocating for the Uniform Probate Code from 1964 to 2005. Included are the meeting minutes, drafts, revisions, correspondence, memoranda, and publicity reflecting his work on the Joint Editorial Board for the Uniform Probate Code; materials from his outreach efforts to states; drafts of the Uniform Probate Code, specific parts of the code, and related subjects; conference, memoranda, and related materials generated in the planning, promoting, and attendance at conferences and institutes; his numerous drafts, writings, and articles on the subject of probate law, trusts, and estates; correspondence with conference officials and outside parties; newsletters chronicling the progress on the Uniform Probate Code; reference materials collected and received in relation to his work on probate law; and correspondence, writings, articles, and related materials on specific subjects reflecting aspects of probate law.

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Arrangement note

  1. Uniform Probate Code
  2. Writings
  3. Correspondence
  4. "UPC Notes"
  5. Subject Files
  6. Reference Materials

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Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use note

The archives reserves the right to restrict access to materials of sensitive nature. Please contact the department for further information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

First shipment received from Richard V. Wellman in 1995.

Second shipment received from NCCUSL headquarters in 2007.

Processing Information note

Processed by Doris Wang, August-December 2008.

Finding aid created January 2009.

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Other Finding Aids note

An item-level container list is available offline in spreadsheet form for portions of this collection. Please contact the Archives for more information.

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Collection Inventory

1. Uniform Probate Code, 1965-2005.

                                  
                 Box Folder

Joint Editorial Board, 1965-2005.

                                  

General Materials, 1971-2002.

Scope and Contents note

General correspondence, press clippings, memoranda, and related materials collected and generated by the Joint Editorial Board and outside parties.
6
28
3-7
8-9

Meeting Materials, 1970-2002.

Scope and Contents note

Minutes, correspondence with Lawrence Waggoner, and related materials regarding the meetings of the Joint Editorial Board.
1
2
1-13
1-12

Correspondence and Memoranda, 1965-2005.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, and related materials reflecting communication among members of the Joint Editorial Board and outside parties.
2
3
4
5
13-15
1-13
1-15
1-4

Drafting Materials, 1989.

Scope and Contents note

Drafts and related materials generated and accumulated by the Joint Editorial Board during the creation of the Uniform Probate Code.
5
5

Uniform Probate Code Revisions and Amendments, 1992.

Scope and Contents note

Revisions, amendments, and related materials reflecting changes to the Uniform Probate Code made by the Joint Editorial Board .
5
6

Finances and Budgets, 1971-1998.

Scope and Contents note

Financial statements, budget reports, and other related materials generated by the Joint Editorial Board.
5
7

Publicity, 1994-2003.

Scope and Contents note

Press clippings and related materials about the Joint Editorial Board and its work on the Uniform Probate Code.
5
8

Reports, 1970-1996.

Scope and Contents note

Annual reports, semi-annual reports, and related materials pertaining to the Joint Editorial Board's progress in drafting and outreach efforts.
5
9-10

Status of Outreach to States, 1972-1976.

Scope and Contents note

Interim reports, correspondence with chairs of state outreach efforts, and related materials reflecting the progress of the Joint Editorial Board's activities having states ratify the Uniform Probate Code.
5
12-13

Fundraising, 1970-1976.

Scope and Contents note

Materials related to fundraising efforts on behalf of the Joint Editorial Board.
5
14-15

UPC Study Kit, undated.

Scope and Contents note

Educational packets, pamphlets, and related materials pertaining to the Joint Editorial Board's outreach efforts.
6
1-2

Outreach to States, 1965-2005.

                                  

Alabama, 1967-1996.
6
8-9

Alaska, 1992-1997.
6
10-12

Arizona, 1974-1998.
6
13-17

Arkansas, 1970-1977.
7
1-2

California, 1966-1998.
7
3-10

Colorado, 1967-2001.
7
8
12-13
1-7

Connecticut, 1977-1997.
8
8-9

Delaware, 1973-2001.
8
10-13

District of Columbia, 1972-2001.
8
9
14-17
1-4

Florida, 1967-1998.
9
5-10

Georgia, 1981-2001.
9
11-15

Hawaii, 1967-2001.
10
1-12

Idaho, 1973-1995.
10
13

Illinois, 1978-1993.
10
14-15

Indiana, 1975-1993.
10
16-17

Iowa, 1980-1997.
10
18-19

Kansas, 1970-1996.
10
11
20-21
1

Kentucky, 1967-1997.
11
2-5

Louisiana, 1972-1973.
11
6

Maine, 1973-1996.
11
7-9

Maryland, 1972-1998.
11
10-11

Massachusetts, 1990-1999.
11
12-15

Michigan, 1967-1999.
11
12
16-19
1-3

Minnesota, 1987-1998.
12
4-5

Mississippi, 1976-1996.
12
6-8

Missouri, 1989-1997.
12
9-10

Montana, 1989-1996.
12
11-12

Nebraska, 1972-1995.
12
13-14

Nevada, 1968-1996.
12
15-16

New Hampshire, 1970-1999.
12
17-18

New Jersey, 1991-1994.
12
19

New Mexico, 1992-2001.
6
12
13
15
20
1

New York, 1990-1998.
13
2-3

North Carolina, 1973-1997.
13
4-5

North Dakota, 1993-1995.
13
6

Ohio, 1972-2003.
13
14
7-14
1

Oklahoma, 1968-1995.
14
2-4

Oregon, 1970-1998.
14
5-6

Pennsylvania, 1968-1996.
14
7-9

Rhode Island, 1972-1999.
14
10-11

South Carolina, 1968-1995.
14
12-15

South Dakota, 1972-1996.
14
15
16-17
1-3

Tennessee, 1972-1996.
15
4-8

Texas, 1965-1992.
15
9-13

United States Virgin Islands, 2002.
15
14

Utah, 1974-1996.
15
15

Vermont, 1971-1999.
16
1
15
17

Virginia, 1972-1997.
16
2

Washington, 1970-1995.
16
4-6

West Virginia, 1970-1995.
16
7-8

Wisconsin, 1972-1998.
16
9-12

Wyoming, 1974-1997.
16
13-14

Press Clippings, 1966-1993.

Scope and Contents note

Press clippings and related materials reflecting the progress of the Joint Editorial Board's outreach efforts to have states ratify the Uniform Probate Code.
17
1-2

Drafts, 1965-2005.

                                  

General Drafts, 1965-2004.

Scope and Contents note

Drafts, revisions, amendments, proceedings of the Uniform Probate Code Drafting Committee and related materials generated in the creation of the Uniform Probate Code. See under specific acts for particular sections of the Uniform Probate Code.
17
18
19
3-10
1-16
1-3

Uniform Custodial Trust Act, 1984-1995.
19
4-7

Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act, 1994-1998.
19
8

Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act, 1977-1980.
19
9-11

Uniform Estate Tax Apportionment Act, 1999-2005.
19
12-13

Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act, 1982-1999.
19
20
28
14
1-2
10-13

Intestacy, Wills, and Donative Transfers, 2005.
20
3

Uniform Management of Institutional Funds Act, 1969-1976, 2000-2005.
20
4-7

Multiple Party Accounts Act, 1985-1987.
20
8

Uniform Multiple-Person Accounts Act, 1990-1994.
20
9-10

Uniform Nonprobate Transfers on Death Act, 1988-1993.
20
11-14

Uniform Power of Attorney Act, 1986-1987, 2005.
20
15-16

Uniform Prudent Investor Act, 1992-1997.
20
21
17-18
1-3

Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities, Bulk, 1985-1989.1985-1991.
21
4-7

Uniform Simultaneous Death Act, 1991-1993.
21
8

Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act, 1988-2001.
21
28
9-15
14

Uniform Trust Act, 1986-2003.
22
1-2

International Wills, 1966-1992.

Scope and Contents note

Drafts, correspondence, and related materials regarding international law. Some content is in French.
22
23
3-16
1-19

Conferences and Institutes, 1971-1978.

Scope and Contents note

Study materials, correspondence, and related materials produced in planning and promoting Uniform Probate Code education conferences.

                                  

Denver, CO, 1971-1972.
24
1-3

Hartford, CT, 1974-1975.
24
4-5

Kansas City, MO, 1973-1974.
24
6-9

Salt Lake City, UT, 1975-1976.
24
10-11

Southern States (Nashville, TN), 1976-1978.
24
12-13

University of Michigan, 1970.
24
14

Washington, D.C., 1972.
24
15-16

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2. Writings, 1964-2002.

Scope and Contents note

Articles, speeches, and related writings by Richard V. Wellman regarding probate law and the Uniform Probate Code.
24
25
28
17-24
1-40
15-16

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3. Correspondence, 1965-2005.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence and related materials reflecting communication between Richard Wellman and conference officials in addition to outside parties.
25
26
41-45
1-5

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4. UPC Notes, 1971-2001.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence with the editorial assistant and outside parties, issues of the Uniform Probate Code newsletter, drafts, and related materials regarding the UPC Notes.
26
6-9

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5. Subject Files, 1965-2005.

Scope and Contents note

Subject-specific and related materials used in the creation, promotion, or discussion of the Uniform Probate Code. Subject files retain original titles as labeled by Wellman. See under specific subject file for particular subject.

                                  
                 Box Folder

American Association of Retired Persons, 1974-1992.
26
10-12

American Association of University Women, 1974.
26
13-14

American Bar Association, 1999.
26		                 

American Insurance Association, 1968-1975.
26
16

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, 1991.
26
17

Alternatives to the Uniform Probate Code, 1971-1972.

Scope and Contents note

Legal reports, copies of legislative bills, and related materials regarding individual states' alternatives to the Uniform Probate Code.
26
18

Blockbuster Will, 1985-1986.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, reports, and related materials regarding the "Blockbuster Will" or "Superwill" legislation.
26
19

Code Promotion, 1968-1972.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, letters, and related materials regarding the progress of publicity for the Uniform Probate Code.
26
20

Creditors' Rights, 1995-1999.

Scope and Contents note

Articles, correspondence, research materials, and related materials regarding creditors' rights and probate and trusts.
26
21-22

Durable Power Institute Planning Committee, 1979-1980, 1987.

Scope and Contents note

Drafts, correspondence, and related materials produced in drafting the Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act promulgated at the Durable Power Institute.
27
1-2

Life Insurance, 1993-1995.
27
3-4

Maine Probate Code, 1983.
27
5

National Fiduciary Accounting Project, 1979-1980.
27
6

National Newspaper Association, 1967-1969.
27
7

Omnibus Legislation, 2000.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, letters, and related materials concerning "Bill 13-298, The Omnibus Trusts and Estates Amendment Act of 1999" in the District of Columbia.
27
8

Nebraska Probate Code Outlines, 1975.
27
9

Pope Case, 1987-1991.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, notes, and other related material regarding Tulsa Professional Collection Services, Inc. v. Pope, for which Wellman served as consultant.
27
10-13

"South Carolina Power Matter," 1975-1977.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, research materials, and related materials regarding South Carolina laws granting dower rights in violation of the United States Constitution.
27
14

Uniform Health-care Decisions Act, 1991-1998.

Scope and Contents note

Drafts, correspondence, and related materials regarding the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act.
27
28
16-18
1

Veterans Administration, 1969-1971.
27
15

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6. Reference Materials, 1960s-1980s.

Scope and Contents note

Reference and related materials used in the creation, promotion, or discussion of the Uniform Probate Code.
28
2-7

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