Case Name: In the Matter of the Estate of Otto Spangenberg, Deceased. Suzanne G. Spangenberg et al., Appellants-Respondents; Katherine Boles, Respondent-Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1998-03-16
Citations: 248 A.D.2d 543
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Estate of Otto Spangenberg, Deceased. Suzanne G. Spangenberg et al., Appellants-Respondents; Katherine Boles, Respondent-Appellant.
Judges: Santucci, J. P., Joy, Friedmann and McGinity, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 248
Pages: 543–544

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Estate of Otto Spangenberg, Deceased. Suzanne G. Spangenberg et al., Appellants-Respondents; Katherine Boles, Respondent-Appellant.
[670 NYS2d 48]

Opinion:
—In a contested probate proceeding, the objectants appeal from so much of an order of the Surrogate's Court, Dutchess County (Bernhard, S.), dated March 17, 1997, as granted that branch of the proponent's motion which was for summary judgment dismissing the objection to probate which alleged fraud and undue influence by the proponent, and the proponent cross-appeals from so much of the same order as denied that branch of her motion which was for summary judgment dismissing the objection to probate which alleged lack of testamentary capacity.
Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from, without costs or disbursements.
The Surrogate's Court properly granted summary judgment dismissing the objection to probate which alleged fraud and undue influence by the proponent. The objectants failed to submit any evidence, beyond conclusory allegations and speculation, that undue influence was actually exercised over the decedent, or that the proponent made false statements which caused the decedent to dispose of his property in a manner different than he otherwise would have (see, Matter of Coniglio, 242 AD2d 901; Matter of Richtman, 221 AD2d 640, 641).
There is, however, an issue of fact concerning the decedent's testamentary capacity. Around the time the will was executed, the decedent's medical records revealed a diagnosis of delerium, with symptoms of confusion, disorientation, and significant mental impairment. Moreover, the will purportedly devised property which had already been transferred at the time the will was executed. Under these circumstances, the court properly denied summary judgment dismissing the objection which alleged lack of testamentary capacity (see, Matter of Alberts, 87 AD2d 671).
The proponent's remaining contention is without merit.
Santucci, J. P., Joy, Friedmann and McGinity, JJ., concur.