Whose Will Was The First Of A Soviet Citizen To Undergo Probate In The U.s. -

The Malkin case became a citation in later disputes over Soviet and Eastern European estates, including In re Luksch’s Estate (1937) and In re Kalmus’ Estate (1942). After U.S. recognition of the USSR in 1933, the legal landscape shifted, but Malkin remained the foundational case establishing that American courts would honor the testamentary intent of Soviet citizens regarding property physically located in the United States.

Abram Malkin arrived in the United States in the early 1920s as an official representative of the Soviet Arcos Trading Company, a precursor to Amtorg Trading Corporation. He resided in New York City. In 1926, Malkin executed a formal last will and testament, leaving his estate—approximately $15,000 in cash, securities, and personal effects—to his wife, Elena Malkina, who remained in Moscow. On February 28, 1927, Malkin died suddenly at his apartment in Manhattan. The Malkin case became a citation in later

Extensive archival research of New York probate records (1920–1930) reveals no earlier probate file for a Soviet citizen. Prior to Malkin, Soviet nationals who died in the U.S. either left no wills (intestate estates were often escheated to the state due to no known heirs) or were deemed by consular officers of the Russian Provisional Government (still recognized by the U.S.) as “stateless persons.” Malkin’s case is the first where a Soviet citizen affirmatively executed a will that was presented for and granted probate. Abram Malkin arrived in the United States in