Opinion ID: 1340370
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: evidence supporting jury's verdict

Text: Appellants contend the probate and circuit courts erred in denying their directed verdict and post-trial motions for a judgment in their favor as a matter of law. Appellants argue Patton failed to present clear and convincing evidence rebutting the presumption Testatrix had destroyed her will with an intent to revoke it because the original document could not be found after her death. Appellants argue there is not a scintilla of evidence of a cause, other than revocation, for the Will's disappearance. We disagree. A will is an expression of a testator's intent to dispose of the testator's property after death. A will may be freely modified or revoked by a mentally competent testator, acting of the testator's own volition, until the testator's death. Lowe v. Fickling, 207 S.C. 442, 447, 36 S.E.2d 293, 294 (1945); S.C.Code Ann. 62-2-506 (1987) (revocation of will by writing or act). When a testator takes possession of his [original] will and the same cannot be found after his death, the law presumes the testator destroyed it animo revocandi, i.e., with an intent to revoke it. This is merely a presumption of fact and may be rebutted by the evidence the will existed at the time of his death, was lost subsequent thereto, or had been destroyed by another without authority to do so. The same presumption arises where it is shown the testator, while not having the will in his actual possession, had ready access to it. Lowe, 207 S.C. at 447, 36 S.E.2d at 294-95; Bauskett v. Keitt, 22 S.C. 187, 191 (1885); Golini v. Bolton, 326 S.C. 333, 340, 482 S.E.2d 784, 787-88 (Ct.App.1997); In re Estate of Mason, 289 S.C. 273, 277, 346 S.E.2d 28, 31 (Ct.App.1986). Consequently, the person attempting to rebut the presumption and submit a copy of the lost or missing will to the probate court for administration must present clear and convincing evidence (1) the original will existed at the time of the testator's death and (2) the original will was lost after his death or destroyed by a third party without the testator's knowledge or consent. Lowe, 207 S.C. at 447, 36 S.E.2d at 294-95; Golini, 326 S.C. at 340, 482 S.E.2d at 788; Estate of Mason, 289 S.C. at 277, 346 S.E.2d at 31. The person contesting the validity of a will usually bears the burdens of proof and persuasion. Golini, 326 S.C. at 340, 482 S.E.2d at 787; S.C.Code Ann. § 62-3-407 (Supp. 2004). However, these burdens are reversed in cases of lost or missing wills. The person asserting that an original will was, in fact, valid but mistakenly lost or destroyed by another, bears the burden of presenting clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption the testator destroyed the will with an intent to revoke it. Lowe, 207 S.C. at 451, 36 S.E.2d at 296; Golini, 326 S.C. at 340, 482 S.E.2d at 788. The mere fact a person who would benefit from destruction of a will possessed it or had access to it, standing alone, is not sufficient to rebut the presumption the testator himself revoked the will by destroying it. Lowe, 207 S.C. at 448, 36 S.E.2d at 295. However, [p]roof that a testator, whose will cannot be found after death, entertained a kindly or loving feeling toward the beneficiaries under the Will carries weight and tends toward the conclusion of nonrevocation of the Will by the testator. Golini, 326 S.C. at 342, 482 S.E.2d at 788-89. We conclude Patton presented clear and convincing evidence from which a jury could determine the original 1999 will existed at the time of Testatrix's death, and it was either lost after her death or destroyed by a third party without her knowledge or consent. Accordingly, we affirm the jury's vedict in favor of Patton. It is undisputed the 1999 will was valid upon execution. The attorney testified she delivered the original will to Testatrix and James testified he saw it in her apartment two to three months before her death. The primary and first contingent beneficiaries of the will were the same persons Testatrix had named in her wills since 1983  Diem and Patton. The record contains no evidence Testatrix expressed any desire to change or revoke her will in order not to pass assets to Diem and Patton; nor is there any evidence Testatrix grew unhappy or displeased with them in any way. The record contains clear and convincing evidence upon which the jury may have relied in determining the original will existed at Testatrix's death. Testatrix previously had kept her wills in a safe deposit box. She may have placed the 1999 will in her box, although it is unclear due to the ambiguous date on the bank's record of entry form. Regardless, Testatrix usually was an organized, by the books person who regularly maintained files containing current and past financial and investment documents. Some of those documents were transported in a bag to and from the hospital on several occasions in the month preceding her death. Some of her belongings were moved from an independent living unit to an assisted living unit at the Methodist Manor in the last weeks of her life. Diem and Patton found Testatrix's apartment in an unusually disorganized and unkempt state after her death. In addition, Testatrix regularly had consulted professionals  lawyers, accountants, and stock brokers  throughout her life when making important decisions and preparing significant documents. The jury may have reasoned that if Testatrix had wanted to revoke her 1999 will, it is not likely she would have torn it up or discarded it. Instead, it is far more likely she would have consulted the lawyer who had drafted the will to make other arrangements. The record contains clear and convincing evidence upon which the jury may have relied in determining the original 1999 will was misplaced or lost during Testatrix's final illness and frequent moves. Moreover, James knew about the will and admitted he was displeased with its terms. He telephoned Testatrix's attorney to complain about it and accused her of convincing Testatrix to leave everything to Diem and Patton. He had unfettered access to Testatrix's apartment, knew where she kept financial and investment records, and by his own testimony spent days on end there as Testatrix's health worsened. He had access to Testatrix's apartment for eleven days while she was hospitalized shortly before her death. The mere fact James, who would benefit financially were the will revoked, had access to Testatrix's missing will is not, standing alone, sufficient to rebut the presumption Testatrix herself revoked it by destroying it. However, in addition to the evidence of Testatrix's practice of keeping careful records and consulting professionals, the record reveals more than motive to destroy the will and opportunity to do so by a third party. James acted decisively to ensure he received, using the word ascribed to him by his brother, his inheritance from Testatrix. James transferred about $713,000 in assets from Decedent to himself on the day she re-entered the hospital  three days before her death  after obtaining her signature on necessary bank and brokerage forms. James testified several people were in the room during a half-hour signature session. The notary public testified only he, James, and Testatrix were present during a five-minute period. When questioned by Diem and Patton about the transfers and the location of Testatrix's original 1999 will after Testatrix's death, James told them he had never seen the will. The record contains clear and convincing evidence upon which the jury may have relied in determining a third party destroyed the will without Testatrix's consent or knowledge.