Opinion ID: 2209080
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Beneficiary caused or assisted in causing execution of new will

Text: Like the Court in Grove and Mills, the trial court took into consideration the circumstances surrounding execution of the wills. Within a month from the time he was hired (October 1984), Moore went to see an attorney and requested that he prepare wills for Koontz and Allen. The evidence reveals that Koontz and Allen both had visitors, family and friends, on a regular basis, any of whom could have witnessed the execution of these wills. Still, despite Koontz's illiteracy and Allen's short-term memory lapses, Moore had Allen and Koontz attest each other's will. The trial court could reasonably infer from this fact that Moore was bent upon hiding the existence of the wills. Moore never advised the testator's family or friends of the new will until after the testator's death.