Opinion ID: 2062115
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Burden of proof concerning existence of confidential relationship between testator and beneficiary.

Text: Plaintiffs contend a confidential relationship existed between defendants and Mrs. Bayer, and that therefore, any transaction between them by which defendants profited at Mrs. Bayer's expense was presumptively fraudulent. The burden of proof would then shift to defendants to negate the presumption by clear and convincing proof. Plaintiffs' view of the law concerning the existence of a confidential relationship between a testator and beneficiary is correct to the extent it relates to inter vivos transfers of property to the beneficiary. Here, however, plaintiffs only contest Mrs. Bayer's testamentary distribution of property to defendants. In such a case, a suspicion, not a presumption, of undue influence, arises where the dominant party in a confidential relationship participates in either the preparation or execution of a contested will. In re Estate of Baessler, 561 N.W.2d 88, 93 (Iowa App.1997); 79 Am.Jur.2d Wills § 428 (mere existence of confidential relations between testator and beneficiary under will does not raise presumption that beneficiary exercised undue influence over testator). As we discussed above, plaintiffs presented no evidence that defendants played a part in the execution or preparation of Mrs. Bayer's 1991 will. Thus, there is no merit to plaintiffs' contention that defendants were required to negate a presumption that they unduly influenced Mrs. Bayer concerning her 1991 will.