Opinion ID: 1829773
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: First Prong of Murray

Text: The first step of the Murray test examines the presence or absence of good faith of the grantee or beneficiary. Murray v. Laird, 446 So.2d 575, 578 (Miss. 1984). In applying the first step of the Murray test for the case sub judice, one would need to examine the record for some indication of overreaching or bad faith on the part of the executor/attorney. Fortenberry testified that he would periodically pay himself an attorney's fee whenever he needed additional funds. While we agree with the chancellor's characterization of this practice as slipshod and careless, there is simply no evidence that Fortenberry overreached or took an advantage over his mother-in-law. Fortenberry's explanations of questions posed to him at trial were logical and did not reveal any overreaching or overbearing behavior. Fortenberry testified that Mrs. McCaffrey had full knowledge and endorsed all actions which Fortenberry took as the executor/attorney of this estate. There is simply no indication of bad faith by Fortenberry, only a mistaken priority in his duty to the beneficiary, Mrs. McCaffrey, over the obligations that the court placed upon him as the executor.