Court Opinion

ID: 4273417
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-08 19:09:46.364569+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:06:35.373700
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

                                NO. 2016-CP-01605-COA

MARQUAN D. STOVER                                                           APPELLANT

v.

ELAINE G. DAVIS, EXECUTRIX OF THE                                             APPELLEE
ESTATE OF TAMORA G. ROBINSON,
DECEASED

DATE OF JUDGMENT:                          10/13/2016
TRIAL JUDGE:                               HON. WILLIAM H. SINGLETARY
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:                 HINDS COUNTY CHANCERY COURT,
                                           SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:                    MARQUAN D. STOVER (PRO SE)
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:                     JACK G. MOSS
NATURE OF THE CASE:                        CIVIL - WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES
DISPOSITION:                               AFFIRMED - 05/08/2018
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:

       EN BANC.

       GREENLEE, J., FOR THE COURT:

¶1.    This appeal arises out of a will contest. Marquan Stover, who is the great-nephew of

the testator, Tamora Robinson, filed a motion to contest the second codicil to Robinson’s last

will and testament, alleging that it was the product of undue influence. After a hearing, the

chancellor found no undue influence and dismissed Stover’s motion.

¶2.    Aggrieved, Stover appeals, arguing: (1) a presumption of undue influence arose, and

therefore, the chancellor erred by not shifting the burden of proof; and (2) the chancellor’s

decision was not supported by substantial credible evidence.

                                STATEMENT OF FACTS
¶3.    Robinson passed away during October 2013. She was survived by her brother,

Sylvester Griffin, her sister, Elaine Davis, and her great-nephew, Stover. Among those who

predeceased her were her husband, Ernest Robinson, her sister, Clyda Myers, and her

nephew, Richard Robinson. Testator Robinson never had any children. Prior to her death,

Robinson executed three testamentary instruments drafted by her attorney, Jack Moss:1 a last

will and testament, signed on June 14, 1993; a codicil, signed on October 12, 2000; and a

second codicil, signed on May 20, 2013. The second codicil is the subject of the instant

appeal.

¶4.    The second codicil made two changes to Robinson’s will and first codicil. First, it

changed the disposition of real property originally devised to Robinson’s nephew, Richard.

Richard predeceased Robinson; therefore, the codicil made a new devise of the property to

Davis. Second, it nominated Davis as executor, since the original nominee, Myers, had also

predeceased Robinson under the circumstances.

¶5.    On October 28, 2013, the chancellor admitted Robinson’s will and two codicils to

probate and issued letters testamentary to Davis. On November 7, 2013, Stover, one of the

devisees of the will, filed a motion to contest Robinson’s second codicil, alleging it was

made under undue influence. In his motion, Stover argued that Robinson was of weak health

at the time she signed the second codicil, and that Davis, who served as Robinson’s

       1
       Moss began representing Robinson and her husband in the mid 1980s, shortly after
he began practicing law.

                                             2
conservator, exercised undue influence through her confidential relationship with Robinson.

¶6.     On October 3, 2016, the chancellor heard Stover’s motion to contest Robinson’s

second codicil. During the hearing, the chancellor heard testimony from Stover, Davis, and

Moss.

¶7.     Stover testified that the second codicil was contrary to Robinson’s expressed desire

that the property at issue remain with a Robinson relative.2 In support of his claim that

Robinson was unduly influenced, Stover testified that at the time Robinson executed the

second codicil in 2013, she suffered from dementia and psychosis, and was recovering from

a stroke she had experienced early that year. Stover stated that Robinson’s health had been

declining ever since her stroke, and that she required assistance to eat, bathe, and comb her

hair. He described Robinson as forgetful and inappropriate. According to Stover, Robinson

could not recall what date or year it was, and frequently yelled to the nursing home staff,

“Can I l[ie] down?” when she was lying down already.

¶8.     Davis testified that Robinson was diagnosed with the beginning stages of dementia

in March 2006. However, Davis said that she did not observe any signs that Robinson’s

dementia progressed to the point that Robinson did not know what she was doing. Davis

stated that Robinson always recognized her, and asked how long she would be visiting and

with whom she was staying. Davis said that when Robinson yelled to the nursing staff to lay

her down, she would often be in her recliner, but wanted to be in bed. During other instances,

        2
            Richard, the original devisee of the property at issue, was Ernest’s brother’s son.

                                                 3
Robinson would say, “I want to l[ie] down,” despite already being in bed. Davis said that on

those occasions, she would remind Robinson she was already in bed, and Robinson would

respond, “Oh, okay.”

¶9.    Davis further testified that a conservatorship was established for Robinson in 2006,

after Stover leased a car in Robinson’s name,3 and several credit cards were taken out in her

name. At that time, Robinson resided in the Compere Nursing Home. Davis testified that to

prevent any future occurrences from happening without Robinson’s permission, Myers was

appointed as Robinson’s conservator. After Myers’s death in October 2012, Davis replaced

her as conservator.

¶10.   Following Myers’s death, Davis had the opportunity to discuss with Robinson what

her intentions were regarding her estate. Davis said that she asked Robinson whom she

wanted as her executor, and Robinson asked “Why can’t you and Sherry[4] do it[?]” Davis

responded, “Okay.” Then, Davis reminded Robinson that Richard had passed too. Robinson

said, “Oh, my goodness” and stated, “Well, then I need to change my will.” Davis told

Robinson, “Well, whenever you want to do it[,] let me know.” When Davis asked Robinson

about what she wanted to do about the property left to Richard, Robinson said she wanted

to leave the property to Davis. Davis asked, “Are you sure?” and Robinson said, “Yes.”

       3
        Davis said Robinson received a call stating she owed approximately $3,500 on the
car and was three months overdue on payments. Stover claimed Robinson consented to the
lease.
       4
           It appears from the record that Robinson was referring to her niece, Sherry Fletcher.

                                                4
¶11.   Davis said that Robinson talked to her about her will several times. However, on one

occasion, Davis reminded Robinson about her intention to change her will, and Robinson did

not remember that she wanted to change it. Davis then told Robinson that she was going to

call Moss to see if he was available to provide legal services. She proceeded to call Moss

from her cell phone while she and Robinson were together.

¶12.   Moss testified that he received Davis’s call, and asked to speak with Robinson. He

said that Robinson recognized whom he was, and that he and Robinson spoke briefly about

what she wanted to do with her will. Moss told Robinson that he wanted to meet with her

rather than draft any changes over the phone. He then had a conference with Robinson in her

room at the Compere Nursing Home, where he had the opportunity to speak with her alone.

Moss testified that during the conference, he went through some general questions with

Robinson to make sure she knew what she was doing and understood the changes she wanted

to make to her will.

¶13.   Moss prepared the second codicil at his office and returned to the nursing home. He

testified that he read over the codicil with Robinson and that she signed the codicil in the

presence of two witnesses.5 Moss testified that from his observation, Robinson’s state of

mind was good at the time she executed the second codicil. He stated that Robinson was

physically weaker than she had been during his prior visits over the years, but that she was

able to sit up in bed and write.

       5
           Robinson signed the codicil in the presence of Moss and her brother, Griffin.

                                              5
¶14.   At the conclusion of the hearing, the chancellor found that Davis had made a prima

facie case as to the validity of Robinson’s will and two codicils. Further, the chancellor found

that Stover had failed to meet his burden of persuasion, and the second codicil was not made

under undue influence. However, the chancellor did not make a specific finding as to whether

Robinson and Davis were in a confidential relationship, which is a necessary factor to

determine whether a presumption of undue influence arose. On October 13, 2016, the

chancellor entered a judgment dismissing Stover’s motion to contest. Stover timely appeals,

raising the following issues: (1) whether the chancellor erred by applying the wrong burden

of proof; and (2) whether the chancellor’s decision was supported by substantial credible

evidence.

                                STANDARD OF REVIEW

¶15.   This Court will not disturb a chancellor’s findings of fact “unless they are manifestly

wrong or clearly erroneous, or unless the chancellor applied an erroneous legal standard.”

Dent v. Roberts (In re Estate of Grantham), 609 So. 2d 1220, 1223 (Miss. 1992). Reversal

is not warranted if the chancellor’s findings are supported by substantial credible evidence.

Jacks v. Woods (In re Estate of Grubbs), 753 So. 2d 1043, 1046 (¶7) (Miss. 2000). “[W]here

a chancellor does not make explicit findings, this Court on appeal will assume that all

disputed issues were resolved in favor of the appellees. This is so even in cases where the

chancellor’s findings ‘left much to be desired.’” Ross v. Brasell, 511 So. 2d 492, 495 (Miss.

1987). However, issues of law are reviewed de novo. In re Estate of Hart, 20 So. 3d 748, 752

                                               6
(¶10) (Miss. Ct. App. 2009).

                                       DISCUSSION

       I.     Whether the chancellor erred by not shifting the burden of proof.

¶16.   In this issue, Stover makes two related arguments. First, he maintains that a

presumption of undue influence arose due, in part, to the nature of Robinson and Davis’s

confidential relationship. Second, he argues that because the presumption arose, the

chancellor erred in failing to shift the burden of proof to Davis to disprove any undue

influence by clear and convincing evidence.

¶17.   “The proponent of a contested will bears the burden of proving its validity in all

respects.” In re Estate of Pigg, 877 So. 2d 406, 409 (¶8) (Miss. Ct. App. 2003). “A prima

facie case of validity is made when the will and its record of probate are admitted into

evidence.” Id. The contestant then bears “the burden of going forward with evidence to

challenge the will’s validity.” Id.

¶18.   In order to raise a presumption of undue influence, a contestant must show that: (1)

a confidential relationship existed between the testator and a beneficiary, and (2) suspicious

circumstances existed—such as the testator’s mental infirmity—or the beneficiary in the

confidential relationship was actively involved in some way with preparing or executing the

will. In re Last Will and Testament of Bowling, 155 So. 3d 907, 910-11 (¶16) (Miss. Ct. App.

2014) (citing Croft v. Alder, 237 Miss. 713, 723-24,115 So. 2d 683, 688 (1959)). “[O]nce the

presumption of undue influence has been established, the burden of proof shifts to the

                                              7
beneficiary to show by clear and convincing evidence that the gift was not the product of

undue influence.” Wright v. Roberts, 797 So. 2d 992, 998 (¶16) (Miss. 2001).

¶19.     We note that although the chancellor determined that Robinson’s codicil was not the

subject of undue influence, he did not explicitly determine whether a confidential relationship

existed. Nor did he specifically address whether a presumption of undue influence arose.

Therefore, in order to address Stover’s assignment of error, it is necessary to first discuss

whether a confidential relationship existed between Robinson and Davis. If there was a

confidential relationship, a presumption of undue influence will arise only if suspicious

circumstances existed, or if Davis was actively involved in the preparation or execution of

Robinson’s will.

                a.     Confidential Relationship

¶20.     “A confidential relationship is present where one person is in a position to exercise

dominant influence upon the other because of the latter’s dependency on the former arising

either from weakness of mind or body, or through trust.” Noblin v. Burgess, 54 So. 3d 282,

288 (¶17) (Miss. Ct. App. 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). The party seeking to

establish a confidential relationship has the burden of proving such a relationship by clear

and convincing evidence. In re Estate of Pope, 5 So. 3d 427, 432 (¶11) (Miss. Ct. App.

2008).

¶21.     The Mississippi Supreme Court has enumerated several factors to consider in

determining whether a confidential relationship exists:

                                               8
       (1) whether one person has to be taken care of by others, (2) whether one
       person maintains a close relationship with another, (3) whether one person is
       provided transportation and has their medical care provided for by another, (4)
       whether one person maintains joint accounts with another, (5) whether one is
       physically or mentally weak, (6) whether one is of advanced age or poor
       health, and (7) whether there exists a power of attorney between the one and
       another.

In re Estate of Dabney, 740 So. 2d 915, 919 (¶12) (Miss. 1999).

¶22.   Pursuant to the Dabney factors, testimony showed that Robinson resided in a nursing

home and relied on nursing home staff to feed and bathe her, and comb her hair. Robinson

maintained a close relationship with her sister, Davis, who visited Robinson roughly two or

three times per month.6 There was no evidence that Davis provided Robinson transportation

or maintained joint accounts with Robinson. However, Davis served as Robinson’s

conservator at the time the second codicil was executed. The record shows Davis was

appointed conservator sometime after Robinson’s other sister Myers, who served as

Robinson’s initial conservator, passed away in October 2012. Prior to Myers’s passing, Davis

assisted Myers with conservatorship duties by attending nursing home meetings and helping

with Robinson’s expenses. Davis also tracked Robinson’s nursing home fees and Medicare.

¶23.   As far as mental and physical weaknesses, testimony indicated that Robinson had

dementia, psychosis, diabetes, and hypertension. She was of advanced age and spent most

of her time in bed. Prior to signing the second codicil in May 2013, Robinson suffered from

a stroke, which may have contributed to a decline in her health. Davis did not have a power

       6
           Davis lived in Baker, Louisiana at the time Robinson’s will was probated.

                                              9
of attorney.

¶24.   Given these circumstances, the chancellor could have found clear and convincing

evidence that Robinson and Davis were in a confidential relationship at the time the second

codicil was signed. The chancellor did not so find; therefore, we assume that the chancellor’s

ruling as to undue influence was not for Stover. However, rather than making our

determination on the first prong of the test, we proceed to further discuss whether a

presumption of undue influence arose.

               b.    Presumption of Undue Influence

¶25.   The mere existence of a confidential relationship between a testator and beneficiary

under her will does not raise a presumption of undue influence as to testamentary gifts.7

Croft, 237 Miss. at 723, 115 So. 2d at 686. Instead, the presumption will only arise

       where the beneficiary has been actively concerned in some way with the
       preparation or execution of the will, or where the relationship is coupled with
       some suspicious circumstances, such as mental infirmity of the testator; or
       where the beneficiary in the confidential relation was active directly in
       preparing the will or procuring its execution, and obtained under it a
       substantial benefit.

Id. at 723-24, 115 So. 2d at 686.

¶26.   Both Stover and Davis testified that Robinson had dementia and took medication for

it. But the chancellor did not explicitly find that suspicious circumstances existed due to

       7
        We note that a presumption of undue influence does arise with respect to inter vivos
gifts once a confidential relationship is established. Croft, 237 Miss. at 723, 115 So. 2d at
686.

                                             10
Robinson’s mental infirmity. Therefore, we must assume the chancellor did not make such

a finding, and that no presumption of undue influence arose. However, the chancellor did

find that the second codicil was not a product of undue influence. We ultimately reach the

same conclusion; therefore, we do not reach a finding on whether there was a confidential

relationship along with suspicious circumstances.

               c.     Overcoming the Presumption of Undue Influence

¶27.   Although we do not find that the chancellor erred by failing to address whether a

presumption of undue influence arose, we hold that, based on the record and the chancellor’s

findings, if such presumption arose, Davis successfully rebutted it.

¶28.   To overcome a presumption of undue influence, a beneficiary must prove by clear and

convincing evidence: “(1) good faith on the part of the [] beneficiary; (2) the [] testator’s full

knowledge and deliberation of [her] actions and their consequences; and (3) independent

consent and action on the part of the [] testator.” Wright, 797 So. 2d at 999 (¶23). In the

instant case, the record contains sufficient evidence to satisfy each of these three prongs.

                      1.      Good Faith

¶29.   The supreme court has identified five factors to consider when determining whether

a beneficiary used good faith: (1) “the identity of the initiating party in seeking the

preparation of the instrument;” (2) “the place of the execution of the instrument and in whose

presence;” (3) the consideration and fees paid, if any; (4) by whom they were paid; and (5)

“the secrecy or openness of the execution of the instrument.” Murray v. Laird, 446 So. 2d
11
575, 578 (Miss. 1984).

¶30.   Davis testified that she called Robinson’s long-time attorney, Moss, in Robinson’s

presence after Robinson expressed that her will should be changed. Moss testified that he

received Davis’s call and he spoke with Robinson over the phone. Moss explained that he

and Robinson talked briefly about the changes that Robinson wanted to make to her will. He

then told Robinson that he would not make any changes over the phone; instead, he wanted

to meet with her.

¶31.   Moss testified that following the phone call, he visited Robinson in her room at the

Compere Nursing Home, where he had the opportunity to speak with her alone. Moss

prepared the second codicil in accordance with Robinson’s instructions at his office, and then

returned to the Compere Nursing Home. He read the codicil to Robinson, and she signed it

in the presence of her Griffin (her brother), and Moss, who acted as witnesses. Moss stated

that Davis and her husband were also at the nursing home during this time, but he could not

recall whether they were present in Robinson’s room when the second codicil was executed.

There was no evidence of the fee paid or who paid it. Nor was there any evidence suggesting

the codicil was executed in secret.

¶32.   Under these circumstances, we conclude Davis proved by clear and convincing

evidence that she acted in good faith.

                     2.     Knowledge and Deliberation

¶33.   In considering whether a testator acted with knowledge and deliberation, this Court

                                             12
considers: (1) the testator’s “awareness of [her] total assets and their general value,” (2) the

testator’s understanding of “the persons who would be the natural objects of [her] bounty

under the laws of descent and distribution or under a prior will and how the proposed change

would legally affect that prior will or natural distribution,” (3) “whether non-relative

beneficiaries would be excluded or included and,” (4) the testator’s “knowledge of who

controls [her] finances and business and by what method, and if controlled by another,” how

dependent the testator is on her and how susceptible she is to her influence. Id. at 579.

¶34.   The chancellor found in his ruling that Moss had been doing legal work for Robinson

for nearly forty years, and that Moss had taken “great pains to ensure that [Robinson] was

in fact doing what she wanted to do.” The chancellor noted Moss’s testimony that Robinson

“knew the objects of her bounty, [and] that she was not . . . under anyone’s influence[,] in

that these were in fact her wishes in the manner in which she changed her will by means of

this codicil.” The chancellor found the codicil’s terms were logical because the only changes

made involved the bequest of a piece of property that would have been given to a nephew

who predeceased Robinson, and the appointment of an executor who also predeceased

Robinson. We note that the codicil appointed Robinson’s only surviving sister, Davis, to be

Robinson’s executor.

¶35.   Although Davis served as Robinson’s conservator and handled her finances and

medical decisions, Davis explained that a conservatorship was initially set up for Robinson

after Stover allegedly purchased a car in Robinson’s name. There was insufficient evidence

                                              13
regarding how susceptible Robinson was to Davis’s influence. The inclusion or exclusion of

non-relative beneficiaries was not at issue, as Stover was Robinson’s nephew, and Davis was

Robinson’s sister. However, we note that Robinson’s brother, Griffin, was in the room and

witnessed the execution of the codicil.

¶36.   There was clear and convincing evidence that Robinson acted with knowledge and

deliberation.

                     3.      Independent Consent and Action

¶37.   The third prong of the test to rebut the presumption of undue influence requires Davis

to demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that Robinson exhibited independent

consent and action. The supreme court has held that the best way to show independent

consent and action is to provide (1) “advice of a competent person,” (2) “disconnected from

the [beneficiary],” who is (3) wholly devoted to the testator’s interests. Id.

¶38.   Robinson exhibited consent and action when she obtained independent advice from

Moss, her long-time attorney, who was a competent person disconnected from Davis and

wholly devoted to Robinson’s interests. The record contained clear and convincing evidence

of Robinson’s independent action and consent.

¶39.   In sum, any presumption of undue influence as to Robinson’s second codicil was

overcome by clear and convincing evidence that Davis acted in good faith, Robinson had full

knowledge and deliberation of the consequences of her actions, and Robinson exhibited

independent consent and action when she executed the codicil. While the chancellor did not

                                              14
specifically rule that Stover had the burden of persuasion, he correctly determined that the

second codicil was not a product of undue influence. We note that a “chancellor will be

affirmed where he reaches a correct result under the law and facts, though for a wrong

reason.” Reed v. Weathers Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Inc., 759 So. 2d 521, 526 (¶17)

(Miss. Ct. App. 2000) (quoting Estate of Johnson v. Adkins, 513 So. 2d 922, 926 (Miss.

1987)). Moreover, “if the judgment of [the] court can be sustained for any reason, it must be

affirmed, and even though the trial judge based it upon the wrong legal reason.” Id.

(emphasis in original) (quoting Patel v. Telerent Leasing Corp., 574 So. 2d 3, 6 (Miss.

1990)). Here, we find the chancellor reached the correct conclusion. This issue is without

merit.

         II.   Whether the chancellor’s ruling as to the second codicil was
               supported by substantial credible evidence.

¶40.     In his second issue on appeal, Stover argues the chancellor’s finding was not

supported by substantial credible evidence. As discussed above, we find that the chancellor’s

decision was supported by substantial credible evidence. Accordingly, this issue is without

merit.

                                     CONCLUSION

¶41.     The chancellor neither made a ruling as to whether Robinson and Davis were in a

confidential relationship, nor whether a presumption of undue influence arose as a result of

suspicious circumstances. However, he did find that Robinson’s second codicil was not a

product of undue influence. We affirm the chancellor’s judgment, finding that any potential

                                             15
presumption of undue influence that arose was overcome by clear and convincing evidence

that Davis acted in good faith, Robinson had full knowledge and deliberation of the

consequences of her actions, and Robinson exhibited independent consent and action when

she executed the codicil. Further, the chancellor’s finding that Robinson’s codicil was not

made under undue influence was supported by substantial credible evidence.

¶42.   AFFIRMED.

     LEE, C.J., BARNES AND CARLTON, JJ., CONCUR. IRVING, P.J.,
CONCURS IN PART AND IN THE RESULT WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN
OPINION. WESTBROOKS, J., DISSENTS WITH SEPARATE WRITTEN
OPINION, JOINED BY GRIFFIS, P.J., FAIR AND TINDELL, JJ.; IRVING, P.J.,
AND WILSON, J., JOIN IN PART.

       WESTBROOKS, J., DISSENTING:

¶43.   I am of the opinion that the evidence in this case could only support a finding of a

confidential relationship, triggering a presumption of undue influence by Davis. As a result,

I would find that the record contains sufficient evidence to support a finding that the

presumption of undue influence was overcome by clear and convincing evidence—if such

a finding had been made on the record, but it was not. After review of the record, a

reasonable factfinder could go either way on whether the presumption was rebutted.

However, I disagree with taking up the issue as one of first impression and making our own

findings of fact. Sitting as an appellate court with only a cold record before us, we are

without fact finding abilities, a power solely vested in the chancellor.

¶44.   The chancellor failed to find a presumption of undue influence in Robinson’s devise

                                             16
of realty to Davis—her conservator. He placed the burden of proof on Stover, the contestant,

when it should have been on Davis, and required clear and convincing evidence, not a

preponderance of the evidence. “We cannot interfere with or disturb a chancellor’s findings

of fact unless those findings are manifestly wrong, clearly erroneous, or an erroneous legal

standard was applied.” In re Estate of Ladner, 909 So. 2d 1051, 1054 (¶6) (Miss. 2004). I

am of the opinion that the case should be remanded for the chancellor to make findings of

fact as to whether the presumption of undue influence was rebutted by clear and convincing

evidence. Furthermore, when the standard of proof is bifurcated, the chancellor should make

each burden-shift clear in his findings of fact.

¶45.   In a will contest, who bears the burden of proof can be a complicated question. It is

said that the proponents of the will bear the ultimate burden of proof, but that burden is

initially met simply “by the offering and receipt into evidence of the will and the record of

probate.” In re Estate of Edwards, 520 So. 2d 1370, 1372-73 (Miss. 1988). Davis performed

that duty. From there, “although the burden of proof remains on the proponents, the burden

of going forward with proof of testamentary incapacity shifts to the contestants, who must

overcome the prima facie case.” Id. at 1373. If the contestant proves facts sufficient to raise

a presumption of undue influence, the burden again shifts, this time back to the proponents

to overcome that presumption by clear and convincing evidence. See In re Bowling, 155 So.
3d 907, 913 (¶33) (Miss. Ct. App. 2014). Stover overcame that prima facie case, so the

burden again shifted.

                                              17
¶46.   The chancellor made no express finding as to whether the testatrix, Robinson, and the

proponent of the codicil, Davis, were in a confidential relationship at the time the codicil was

executed. However, Davis was Robinson’s duly appointed conservator which put her in a

confidential and fiduciary relationship. This Court has determined that this is a per se

confidential relationship. See In re Estate of Thomas, 853 So. 2d 134, 135 (¶4) (Miss. Ct.

App. 2003). Therefore, the presumption of undue influence arose “with regard to self-

interested dealings between conservators and wards.” Id. The plurality, however, assumes

the chancellor found they were not, without agreeing or disagreeing with such a finding. But

to find anything other than a confidential relationship would be manifestly erroneous.

¶47.   The plurality is correct that, for testamentary gifts like the one at issue here, “the

existence of a confidential relationship, standing alone, does not raise a presumption of

undue influence.” Kimbrough v. Estate of Kimbrough, 134 So. 3d 281, 285 (¶13) (Miss.

2014). “If it is determined that a confidential relationship exists, an abuse of that relationship

must be shown for the [c]ontestants to raise a proper presumption of undue influence.” Id.

(citation omitted). The plurality then notes that the chancellor made no finding, and passes

on this question. There unquestionably were “suspicious circumstances” here, given that the

testatrix was suffering from dementia and was under the supervision and care of Davis as her

conservator.    But it was also uncontested that Davis was actively concerned in the

preparation of the will; she testified she had repeatedly discussed the will with Robinson, had

reminded Robinson of the death of named beneficiaries, and had been the one who initially

                                               18
called her ward’s attorney to set in motion the drafting and execution of the codicil. Davis

was also present during Robinson’s initial discussions with the attorney regarding the codicil,

which occurred over Davis’s cell phone.

¶48.   Given these admitted and uncontested facts, the record can only support a finding of

a presumption of undue influence. The burden would then have shifted to Davis to prove,

by clear and convincing evidence, (1) her good faith, (2) Robinson’s “full knowledge and

deliberation of [her] actions and their consequences” and (3) Robinson’s “independent

consent and action.” Wright v. Roberts, 797 So. 2d 992, 999 (¶23) (Miss. 2001). But the

chancellor did not find a presumption of undue influence, and as a result he did not make any

findings of fact on any of the three things Davis had to show by clear and convincing

evidence to rebut the presumption. Instead, the chancellor placed the burden of proof,

erroneously, on Stover, concluding: “So I just don’t find that the Movant, having the burden

of persuasion on the Court here today, has satisfied that.”

¶49.   Accordingly, I would remand the case to the chancery court for its reconsideration of

the evidence and thereafter providing findings of facts and conclusions of law.

       GRIFFIS, P.J., FAIR AND TINDELL, JJ., JOIN THIS OPINION. IRVING,
P.J., AND WILSON, J., JOIN THIS OPINION IN PART.

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