Opinion ID: 1741203
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: was the presumption of undue influence rebutted by clear and convincing evidence?

Text: In light of this Court's holding that the presumption of undue influence was improperly applied, it is not really necessary to reach this assignment of error. However, we would note that, while the chancellor correctly stated the test for rebutting this presumption, from Harris v. Sellers, 446 So.2d 1012, 1014-15 (Miss. 1984), he incorrectly applied it. The holding of the trial court centered primarily around the fact that Mr. Terry did not confer with Mrs. Hall before he drafted the September, 1982, will, and that Mr. Costello might have been present when it was executed. We conclude that the trial court did not consider other evidence in the record that was relevant to the test of undue influence. The test enunciated in Harris consists of evidence of 1) good faith of the beneficiary; 2) the grantor's understanding of his actions; and 3) independent advice. As to the first element, there was ample evidence in the record that the execution of the 1982 will was done openly and in accordance with the previously expressed intent of Mrs. Hall. Although Mr. Costello took no part in having Terry draft the instrument, his good faith may be demonstrated by the fact that he did not personally benefit from it. The second element, the grantor's understanding, was demonstrated by the testimony of her doctor that she had sufficient cognitive ability to understand the general terms of the will. Furthermore, the terms were virtually unchanged from those of the prior year, when Mr. Terry testified that he discussed the will with Mrs. Hall at length. Also, the terms of the will were not unusual or unnatural; Mrs. Hall had a plausible explanation for excluding her husband and his grandchildren, and including the Corbins. Finally, as to the element of independent advice, even the chancellor recognized that the 1982 will was, at most, a codicil to the 1981 will. The major provisions of the will were drafted at the time when Mrs. Hall had a lengthy conference with her attorney. The fact that Mr. Costello was in the room when the will was executed does not, in itself, cause the will to fail this element. Will of Polk. For these reasons, we conclude that, even if this case had called for the imposition of the presumption of undue influence, Mr. Costello did present clear and convincing evidence that would have overcome the presumption. Nowhere is that more clear than in the words of the chancellor himself, when he stated that, In its effort to faithfully follow the law ... this Court reaches a result contrary to the expressed wishes of the Decedent. ... We note that, if it is manifestly clear to the trial court that the intent of the testator is reflected in the will, then it should be also manifestly clear that there was no undue influence.