Opinion ID: 1863568
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Tort of OutrageDivorce Agreement

Text: In count XVI James Smith alleged that Georgia, Waddell, and Helms intentionally caused him to suffer severe emotional distress and that their conduct was so extreme as to be intolerable in a civilized society. In this second count alleging the tort of outrage, Smith alleges conduct different from that alleged in count VII, as to which Charlie, Lori, and their children are the plaintiffs. Smith has alleged the same conduct on the part of Georgia, Waddell, and Helms as was alleged in counts XIV and XV, discussed above, i.e., that these defendants led him to erroneously believe that the September 12 will was Virginia's true will and that he would have no interest in her estate. He alleged that, based on this erroneous belief, he agreed to a divorce settlement that he otherwise would not have agreed to. Smith requested several kinds of relief from the circuit court, including the following: an order withdrawing the September 12, 1991, will from probate and declaring that it was not Virginia's true last will; an order declaring that Virginia's prior will was her true last will; an order nullifying certain provisions in the divorce judgment based on the agreement between him and Georgia; and compensatory and punitive damages. In response, the defendants make the same arguments they made in relation to counts XIV and XV. They argue that the count is an improper attempt to collaterally attack a final judgment of divorce, that it is an attempt to contest Virginia's will beyond the limitations period allowed by § 43-8-199, and that Smith lacks standing to contest the September 12 will. We have concluded that the summary judgment was proper on the plaintiffs' will contest claims, and we agree with the defendants' arguments that this count is another improper attempt to contest Virginia's September 12 will. We must conclude also that Smith has not shown that the will is invalid. Accordingly, Smith has not presented substantial evidence of any conduct on the part of Georgia and Waddell that is wrongful, let alone conduct rising to the level needed to support a claim of outrage. See Anderton v. Gentry, 577 So.2d 1261 (Ala.1991); American Road Service Co. v. Inmon, 394 So.2d 361 (Ala.1980). The summary judgment was proper as to this count.