Opinion ID: 1482375
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Estate

Text: Count I of Bernard's complaint also alleges that Gerrard's tortious actions interfered with Bernard's expectation that he would inherit his father's estate. Although Bernard presented this claim in the Superior Court, the court did not specifically address that claim in its decision. Nevertheless, its dismissal of count I necessarily dismissed this claim as well, and we must deal with it here. Bernard demands both compensatory and punitive damages for Gerrard's alleged tortious interference with his expectation of inheriting his father's estate. He further prays that a constructive trust be established over the property of the estate for his benefit and the benefit of his estate. In making this claim, Bernard asserts that Axel's will at the time of his death was not the true expression of his intentions because of Gerrard's undue influence. He disagrees with the distribution of the assets of the estate as directed by the will. Gerrard again contends that Bernard must exhaust his Probate Court remedies before pursuing this claim in the Superior Court. Bernard contends that the Probate Court cannot adequately compensate him for any denial of his inheritance rights because even if he were successful in setting aside Axel's will, he has no assurance that Axel's first will, naming him sole beneficiary, would be reinstated. Again, Bernard and Gerrard are both wrong. If Bernard had the 1989 will set aside, but failed to have the 1971 will reinstated, he would receive through the laws of intestacy his father's estate and therefore would arguably not be damaged. Nevertheless, for the same reasons set forth in the discussion of the homestead real estate, Bernard is not required to pursue his claim relating to the inheritance of his father's estate in the Probate Court. Concurrent jurisdiction implies no preference for one forum over another. Bernard is entitled to a jury trial on his damages claim.