Opinion ID: 1894641
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence of Order of Death

Text: ¶ 10. Courts have consistently held that the burden of proof for sufficient evidence of survivorship is a preponderance of the evidence. Fiumefreddo v. Scudder, 252 Ga. 279, 313 S.E.2d 683, 686 (1984); In re Estate of Moran, 77 Ill.2d 147, 32 Ill. Dec. 349, 395 N.E.2d 579, 581 (1979); In re Estates of Perry, 40 P.3d 492, 493 (Okla. Civ.App.2001). For the USDL to apply, there must be a lack of sufficient evidence to prove that Martha predeceased Byron, or vice-versa. ¶ 11. In the instant case, there is insufficient proof to establish an order of death. While Ann testified that Byron called her at approximately 10:00 a.m. and told her he had shot Martha, there is no evidence confirming that she died before him. The fact that Byron shot Martha before he shot himself might lead one to presume that she succumbed to her injuries prior to Byron succumbed to his; however, the USDL does not allow presumptions of survivorship: No presumptions as to survivorship as between persons killed in a common disaster arise under the act, except possibly in the case of death of a beneficiary and donor in a common disaster or in case of beneficiaries in life or accident policies. Also, there is no presumption that the deaths were simultaneous, although it has been stated that the act creates a presumption that the persons died simultaneously. The burden of proof is on the party whose claim depends on survivorship to establish the fact. 25A C.J.S. Death § 16, at 179 (2002). There being no presumption in which we can indulge as to order of death and no sufficient evidence indicating survivorship, the USDL governs the distribution of Byron's estate.