Opinion ID: 2162117
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Susceptibility

Text: The record contains extensive testimony concerning the failing health of the decedent in an attempt to establish that the decedent was susceptible to undue influence. However, much of this testimony was to the effect that the decedent was a man of strong will and character. The testator nurtured a successful funeral business which was a source of employment and affluence not only for Robert, but for the decedent's brothers, Frank and Arnold. In 1954, the funeral home was incorporated, and of the 10,000 outstanding shares of stock the decedent controlled 4,000, Robert 3,000 and Frank and Arnold 1,500 shares each. For many years, the decedent had taken annual physical checkups. In a report of October, 1967, from his doctor, there were a number of negative physical findings but nothing with respect to any mental debility. In the middle of February, 1968, decedent experienced substantial physical discomfort at times. On March 23, 1968, approximately two weeks after the last will was executed, decedent entered a hospital with complaints of pain. On April 11, 1968, an exploratory laparotomy was  performed which revealed a liver cancer. Ritter died April 21, 1968. Dr. Fritz, who was the decedent's physician for eight years and who examined him before and after the will was executed, testified that in his opinion the decedent was a rather strong-willed, very positive person. It was my impression of him that he was very direct in his thinking. Dr. Fritz opined that the decedent was not subject to the blandishments of other individuals. There is considerable testimony in the record that the decedent's physical condition was declining during the last two months of his life. He suffered pain in the right upper quadrant which sometimes radiated through the right flank and right back, his legs were getting weak, he looked tired and dejected and his ankles were swollen. There is also some testimony that he was not as mentally alert as he had been. While illness and hospitalization may be indicative of susceptibility, Estate of Culver (1964), 22 Wis. 2d 665, 671, 126 N. W. 2d 536, it is certainly not the sole criterion. In the Estate of Culver, the decedent's mental condition had deteriorated excessively. There is no such showing in this case. It is significant to consider the condition of the decedent at the time the will was executed. Roene Van Roo testified that when she arrived at the home of Walter Ritter to be a witness to the 1968 will, Ritter stated that he wanted to make some changes in his will and that on that date Ritter was of sound mind, memory and understanding. She noted that Ritter had slowed down a little and looked more tired, but still, as a man of 71, in my opinion, he was very alert and active. After executing the will the testator took the witnesses, Roene and Raymond Van Roo upstairs to show them how he and his wife were redecorating their home. Mr. and Mrs. Van Roo had both been employees of the Ritter Funeral Home for over twenty years.  On the evening before the will was executed, the decedent chaired a lodge meeting. Edward Brikner was acquainted with the decedent for eighteen years, saw him at least two or three times a month, and attended the lodge meeting on March 6, 1968. He testified that he noticed no difference in Ritter's capabilities in handling the meeting compared to the January and February meetings. Immediately following that meeting another meeting was held concerning the purchase of a lot for the lodge. Ritter twice got up and stated his point of view. His point of view was not contradictory to the position of other people at the meeting; It was more explanatory. Brikner was of the opinion that from his observations of Walter Ritter at these meetings, he did not believe he could be influenced at any time. [W]hen he made up his mind about certain things, why that's the way it was. Frank King, the president of a Cadillac dealership in Milwaukee, knew and had done business with Ritter for forty years. He testified that Walter Ritter was a very good businessman. That opinion was not changed between January and March, 1968. King delivered a Cadillac limousine to Ritter the day after the will was executed. The limousine was delivered with a radio which had not been ordered and Walter Ritter definitely would not take the limousine with the radio. King had to order a new car out because the car was not acceptable with the installed radio. That evening King took Mr. and Mrs. Ritter to dinner on his invitation, at which time He seemed to be all right. Mr. Ritter drove King's car and carried on conversation that evening. Elizabeth Johnson, an interior designer, knew the decedent for thirty years. She was in the process of redecorating the Ritter home before his death. She was of the opinion that Walter Ritter could not be influenced. Other witnesses also testified as to Walter Ritter's strong will. It is also apparent that Ritter continued to  conduct business, though less actively, during the months prior to his hospitalization. He supervised three funerals in March. The record will not support a finding that even slight evidence of Walter Ritter's susceptibility to undue influence was established.