Opinion ID: 891577
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Viewed as a Whole, There Was Sufficient Evidence of Suspicious Circumstances

Text: {46} We have found support for the district court's findings of old age or weakened physical or mental condition; participation in the procurement, domination, or control; and secrecy. Although these factors in combination will not necessarily raise a suspicion of undue influence in all cases, and the specific pieces of evidence in this case might not be enough individually to justify a finding of suspicious circumstances, we hold that under the facts of this case, the district court was justified in concluding that suspicious circumstances existed. The finder of fact could reasonably have found that Viola, who had a relationship with Gregoria suggesting some measure of dominance, drafted and secured the execution of a will for Gregoria benefitting herself and disparaging her siblings at a time when Gregoria was suffering from various ailments that could have affected her cognition, and then kept the will secret from Gregoria's other children until after Gregoria's death. Together, this evidence was sufficient to allow the trier of fact to conclude the existence of suspicious circumstances by clear and convincing evidence.