The final judgment invalidating the April 2, 2008 will based on undue influence is supported by substantial competent evidence and, thus, we affirm. Hendershaw v. Estate of Hendershaw, 763 So. 2d 482, 483 (Fla. 4th DCA 2000) (“The probate court’s findings in a will contest shall not be overturned where there is substantial competent evidence to support those findings, unless the probate judge has misapprehended the evidence as a whole.”).
“When a will is challenged on the grounds of undue influence, the influence must amount to over persuasion, duress, force, coercion, or artful or fraudulent contrivances to such an extent that there is a destruction of free agency and willpower of the testator.” Levin v. Levin, 60 So. 3d 1116, 1118 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011) (quoting Raimi v. Furlong, 702 So. 2d 1273, 1287 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997)). The doctrine of undue influence is based on the theory that the “testator is induced by various means, to – 2 – execute an instrument which, although his, in outward form, is in reality not his will, but the will of another person which is substituted for that of testator.” In re Winslow’s Estate, 147 So. 2d 613, 617 (Fla. 2d DCA 1962) (citation omitted). “Undue influence is not usually exercised openly in the presence of others, so that it may be directly proved, hence it may be proved by indirect evidence of facts and circumstances from which it may be inferred.” Gardiner v. Goertner, 149 So. 186, 190 (Fla. 1932) (citation omitted).
The Florida Supreme Court has established a set of non-exhaustive factors for courts to consider on the issue of undue influence or active procurement:
- (a) presence of the beneficiary at the execution of the will;
- (b) presence of the beneficiary on those occasions when the testator expressed a desire to make a will;
- (c) recommendation by the beneficiary of an attorney to draw the will;
- (d) knowledge of the contents of the will by the beneficiary prior to execution;
- (e) giving of instructions on preparation of the will by the beneficiary to the attorney drawing the will;
- (f) securing of witnesses to the will by the beneficiary; and
- (g) safekeeping of the will by the beneficiary subsequent to execution
Click here to read the rest of the judgment.
This case was also appealed. Click here to read that appeal.
- Gathering Evidence for Undue Influence Claims - April 15, 2024
- The Impact Of Divorce On Jointly Owned Properties In Probate - March 15, 2024
- The Difference Between Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets in Florida - February 15, 2024
