Opinion ID: 1847774
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: leona signs new estate plan documents while her competency hearing was pending for january 12, 2005

Text: On December 30, 2004, Charles took Leona to the courthouse to review the estate plan documents and then to the bank for witnessing and notarization. Rogers stated that he left Leona alone to review the documents. He then spent 5 to 10 minutes reviewing the documents with her, including the trust provision that left Dolores only Leona's remaining personal property. He stated that Leona affirmed that this division was what she wanted. Leona signed a quitclaim deed conveying all her farm property to the Leona M. Hedke Revocable Trust. The trust named Charles' friend as trustee and Dolores and Charles as the beneficiaries. After Leona's death, the trust required the trustee to (1) pay her debts, taxes, and burial expenses; (2) distribute all real estate to Charles; and (3) distribute any remaining trust property to Dolores. Leona also signed a new will, making Dolores the residuary beneficiary. But the new will contained a pour-over provision that bequeathed all her property to the revocable trust. Three bank employees witnessed Leona sign the documents. One of them stated that Leona was unsure whether she had reviewed the documents. But she knew who the banker and another employee were, and she told the employees she was signing the documents of her own free will. She also stated in a disappoint[ed] tone that she did not know what had happened to Dolores. She stated that Dolores had not been there but that Charles had stayed and helped. All three employees reported that Leona had stated she was dividing her assets the same way her parents or father had: The sons received the real estate, and the daughters received cash and other assets. The banker stated that while he believed Leona knew what she was doing, he was worried that she was being influenced.