05/05/2017
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
March 21, 2017 Session
IN RE: ESTATE OF LAURA COPELAND FARMER
Direct Appeal from the Probate Court for Wilson County
No. 2015PR1 John Thomas Gwin, Judge
No. M2016-01300-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from a will contest. The decedent-mother had four children but left the
majority of her estate to one daughter. The three plaintiff-siblings allege that the
defendant-daughter exercised undue influence over their mother to induce her to change
her will before she died. In the midst of a bench trial, the trial court entered an
involuntary dismissal sua sponte at the close of plaintiffs’ proof. The trial court found
that a confidential relationship existed between the decedent-mother and the defendant-
daughter, but the court also found by clear and convincing evidence that the mother was
not influenced in the execution of her will. For the following reasons, we vacate the
dismissal and remand for further proceedings.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Probate Court Vacated and
Remanded
BRANDON O. GIBSON, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which J. STEVEN
STAFFORD, P.J., W.S., and KENNY ARMSTRONG, J., joined.
Charles Stephen Michels, II, and David J. Callahan, III, Nashville, Tennessee, for the
appellants, Gary Wayne Farmer, Rita Gail Reed, and Roger Farmer.
Larry Leonard Roberts and John S. Roberts, Nashville, Tennesssee, for the appellee,
Sharon Farmer Lovett.
OPINION
I. FACTS & PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Laura Copeland Farmer (“Mother”) resided in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, with her
husband Marvin Farmer (“Father”). Mother and Father had four children – Gary, Rita,
Roger, and Sharon.1 In 2010, when Mother was 83 years old, Father died, and Mother
underwent triple bypass surgery. Thereafter, Mother began residing with her daughter
Sharon, who lived nearby, for weeks at a time. Sharon’s relationship with her siblings
deteriorated. In November 2013, at the age of 86, Mother revoked her prior will, which
had named all four children as beneficiaries, and executed a new will leaving the majority
of her estate to Sharon. Mother died in 2014 at the age of 87.
Shortly after Mother’s death, Sharon filed a petition for probate of Mother’s estate
and offered the November 2013 will for probate. When Gary, Rita, and Roger
discovered the existence of the 2013 will leaving the majority of Mother’s estate to
Sharon, they filed a complaint to contest the will. Gary, Rita, and Roger (collectively,
“Plaintiffs”) alleged that they had been denied access to their mother by Sharon through
her direct refusal to allow them to visit and her “elaborate lies and schemes to drive the
family apart.” Plaintiffs alleged that Sharon “concoct[ed] stories and rumors of
wrongdoing done by the other children to cause [Mother] to suspect them and drive them
out of her life, and eventually, [her] Will.” They alleged that Mother “was so caught up
in [Sharon’s] falsehoods” that she would not even allow them to enter her house toward
the end of her life. Plaintiffs alleged that Sharon held power of attorney over Mother,
controlled physical access to her, and used Mother’s funds for her own personal use.
They alleged that Sharon was the dominant party in the relationship and used “fear,
falsehoods, and control” to unduly influence Mother and procure the execution of the
2013 will.2
The trial court entered an order opening the estate for probate and an order
certifying the will contest. The will contest was heard over the course of three days in
March 2016. Sharon, the defendant-daughter, testified that Mother lived with her part-
time for the last few years of Mother’s life. Mother lost her husband in June 2010, and
she underwent triple bypass surgery in November 2010. Sharon and her husband lived
seven to eight minutes away from Mother’s home. Sharon testified that Mother lived
with her for weeks at a time and overall spent approximately half of her time at each
residence. Sharon’s husband cooked for Mother almost every night she stayed at their
home. On the days when Mother stayed at her own home, Sharon’s husband would stop
by her house on the way home from work to check on her. Sharon’s husband and
daughter both testified that Mother was strong-willed.
Sharon testified that she picked up Mother’s prescriptions and dispensed Mother’s
medications for her each week, as Mother took eight to ten pills every day. Mother was
diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2011 and also used oxygen every day. Sharon
1
For clarity, we will refer to the parties in this case by their first names. No disrespect is intended.
2
Plaintiffs’ complaint also alleged a lack of testamentary capacity and intent. However, they did not
pursue this theory at trial and instead relied on the allegation of undue influence.
2
sometimes scheduled Mother’s doctor’s appointments and arranged for Mother’s doctors
to call her rather than Mother if there was an issue with testing or other matters. Sharon
testified that Mother could drive until the last year or two of her life but acknowledged
that she (or her daughter) always drove Mother to her doctor’s appointments and also
accompanied Mother when she saw the doctor.
Sharon also drove Mother on every occasion that she went to her attorney’s office.
However, Sharon remained in the lobby or sat on the porch while Mother met with the
attorney. Sharon sometimes paid the attorney’s invoice from Mother’s account before
leaving if Mother’s hand was hurting from arthritis or if Mother simply asked her to do
so. Mother executed a document legally granting Sharon power of attorney in 2011.
However, Sharon conceded at trial that Mother believed that she possessed power of
attorney even before then, and Sharon did not tell Mother otherwise. Sharon said, “in my
mom’s mind, I was the power of attorney.”
Sharon drove Mother to the attorney’s office in November 2013 when Mother
revoked her prior will and executed a new one. Sharon testified that she did not know at
the time that Mother executed a new will and that she never discussed the will with
Mother thereafter. Sharon’s husband similarly testified that he never spoke with Mother
about her will, although he acknowledged that Mother mentioned that she needed to
make a will and that he told her to contact her attorney. Sharon’s adult daughter testified
that she knew Mother had made a will but that she did not have any input regarding its
creation.
Sharon was asked whether she had ever filed for bankruptcy and responded that
she had in the 1970s or ‘80s. However, Plaintiffs subsequently introduced records
indicating that Sharon was also in bankruptcy from 1999 to 2006. Sharon and her
husband both testified that Mother was able to manage her own finances. By April of
2011, however, the statements for Mother’s bank accounts were mailed directly to
Sharon’s home rather than Mother’s home. Sharon testified that the address change was
made because Mother’s bank statements were missing from her mailbox for several
months in a row. Regardless of where Mother was staying at the time, Sharon’s husband
also picked up Mother’s remaining mail nearly every day from Mother’s mailbox.
Sharon’s name was also listed on Mother’s bank accounts. She testified that she
sometimes signed Mother’s checks because Mother had arthritis in her hands. Sharon
estimated that she wrote 50 to 75 checks on Mother’s checking account over the years.
Sharon initially testified that she had never written any checks to herself from Mother’s
account but later said she did so only at Mother’s direction.
A certified document examiner, Jane Eakes, also testified at trial. She examined
3
numerous checks and documents from Mother’s bank accounts and concluded that 278
checks were signed by someone other than Mother between 2010 and 2013. Sharon was
asked about many of these checks at trial. She denied most of the findings by Ms. Eakes
and insisted that the disputed checks were actually signed by Mother, even though Sharon
admitted to completing the top part of the checks. Many of the checks that were
purportedly signed by Mother were made payable to Sharon or her husband with the
notation “Loan” on the memo line. These checks with “Loan” notations totaled around
$15,000. Sharon testified that she repaid Mother for all of these loans.3 When asked for
proof, she said that she paid the loans back in cash and that the repayments would not be
reflected as deposits on Mother’s bank statements because Mother would always put the
money in her wallet or drawer or Bible. During her deposition, Sharon was asked if
Mother would immediately deposit cash or keep it “laying around the house,” and Sharon
responded that she would deposit it except for about $200 in spending money.
Many other checks from Mother’s account were made payable directly to Sharon
or her husband without any notation regarding the reason for the check. Ms. Eakes
concluded that Sharon also signed Mother’s name on these checks, payable either to
Sharon or her husband, which totaled over $20,000. Sharon denied signing the checks
and insisted that she completed the top part of the checks while Mother signed them.
Sharon testified that some of these checks were basically gifts from Mother because of
everything she and her husband did for Mother.
Checks were also written from Mother’s account for new appliances that were
delivered to Sharon’s house. Sharon testified that Mother wrote these checks, for the
purchase of a dishwasher, range, microwave, and end tables, but she insisted that she
repaid Mother in cash. More checks were written from Mother’s account for new
windows for Sharon’s home, at a total cost of over $5,000. Sharon testified that Mother
bought the windows for her as a gift. Again, she disputed Ms. Eakes’s conclusion that
Sharon had signed the checks herself.
Sharon also admitted to using Mother’s Bank of America credit card. Sharon
insisted that she was added as an “an authorized signer” on the account, but the records
subpoenaed from Bank of America made no mention of Sharon having such authority.
Sharon testified that she always paid for her portion of the charges on the credit card bill
every month. She also testified, initially, that Mother always paid her own portion of the
bill in full every month and never let a bill remain outstanding. However, when asked
about credit card statements indicating that the Bank of America card had a $5,000
balance after Mother died, she claimed that Mother only paid her bills in full most of the
time. Sharon testified that she offered to continue paying the bill after Mother died but
3
Sharon’s husband testified that they repaid the loans from Mother “[a]s much as we could.”
4
that Bank of America forgave the balance when it was notified of Mother’s death.
Sharon denied that she ever tried to keep Mother from her other three children –
Gary, Rita, and Roger. She testified that nothing prevented Plaintiffs from visiting with
Mother either at Mother’s own home or at Sharon’s home while Sharon and her husband
worked during the day. Sharon and her husband both insisted that Plaintiffs were
welcome to visit Mother at their home anytime.
Each of Sharon’s siblings also testified. The oldest child was Gary. He also
resided in Mount Juliet and was retired. Gary testified that he and Father did not speak
for a period of about eleven years due to an argument they had around 1994.4 Still, Gary
testified that he maintained a good relationship with Mother despite his dispute with
Father. He testified that he still talked to Mother quite often and visited with her
occasionally either at his house or at Mother’s house when he knew Father was not home.
Gary testified that when he found out Father was in poor health, he swallowed his pride
and went to see him, and the two reconciled (apparently around 2007). Gary said that he
and Father had a good relationship and spent quite a bit of time together thereafter, and
Father still wanted him to be the executor of his will.5 Gary testified that he and Father
were both competition shooters in the past and that Father gave him two pistols and a
sword from his service in World War II before he died.
Gary testified that his relationship with Mother was very good after Father died
and that he spent time with her regularly, as Father had asked Gary to take care of
Mother. However, he testified that his relationship with Sharon began to deteriorate after
Mother’s heart surgery. Gary said that Sharon became convinced that his wife was trying
to put Mother in a nursing home. Gary’s wife was a nurse at the hospital where Mother
had open heart surgery. Gary testified that his wife was discussing Mother’s
rehabilitation with her surgeon and that Sharon became “livid” and threatened to call
Mother’s lawyer to stop him and his wife from interfering with Mother’s care.
Thereafter, Mother made statements to Gary and to his brother Roger indicating her
belief that Gary’s wife wanted to put her in a nursing home. Gary said that Mother would
not have a pleasant conversation with his wife thereafter.
Gary said that his feelings toward Sharon began to change when she started
“changing and trying to control” Mother. Gary explained that he took Mother to a post-
operative doctor’s appointment in 2010, at Mother’s request, and that Sharon showed up
4
The 1994 dispute between Gary and Father occurred at a local gun club. According to Gary, Father
confronted him and threatened him when he showed up at the club with Japanese co-workers, as Father
was a veteran of World War II and did not approve of his associations.
5
Father’s will left everything to Mother unless she predeceased him, in which case the estate was to be
divided equally among the four children.
5
uninvited and insisted that she had to be present for the appointment because she was
“the POA.” (At that point in time, Sharon was not actually the power of attorney for
Mother, as Mother did not execute the power of attorney until May 2011. However,
Mother apparently believed that Sharon was the power of attorney.) Gary testified that
he offered to take Mother to other appointments but Mother would respond, “No, I can’t.
I have to let Sharon do that.”
According to Gary, when he visited Mother, either Sharon or her husband would
follow them from room to room or outside and would not permit them to talk alone.
Eventually, Sharon began to accuse Gary of stealing things from Mother. Gary testified
that Sharon accused him of stealing a gun that Sharon claimed Father promised to her.
However, the gun was found in Mother’s gun safe after she died, and it was listed in the
inventory of Mother’s property filed with the court. Gary testified that he never had a
key to Mother’s house and did not have access to her safe.
Gary said that it became difficult for him to see Mother in later years because he
could not reach Mother by phone, and when he stopped by Mother’s house, sometimes he
was able to see Mother and sometimes he was not. He explained that Mother sometimes
refused to answer the door. He testified that he would see Mother inside the house and
call her, but she still would not answer. He said that sometimes Mother would come to
the door but say, “What do you want? I can’t let you in.” Other times Mother would say
“if you come in, you can’t go in the basement” (which was where the gun safe was
located).
Gary testified that Mother complained to him a couple of times in 2012 and 2013
about not having enough money, which he found odd because of the extent of the assets
Father left for her. Gary testified that Mother wanted to have a garage sale to raise
money. He believed that Mother did not know how much money she really had. Gary
said Mother told him numerous times over the years, as late as 2013, that she had four
children and that everything she owned was to be sold, with the proceeds being split four
ways among them. He said she would always hold up four fingers as she said this. Gary
believed that Sharon heavily influenced Mother in connection with her November 2013
will. He agreed that Mother was strong-willed and forceful but also said that she could
be influenced, and “if she got something in her mind, she would keep it that way.”
Pursuant to the November 2013 will, Gary received $4,000 from Mother’s estate
and “any guns currently in his possession.” Mother also gave her attorney handwritten
letters to her children to be opened after her death. The letter to Gary was written in May
2014, just a few months before she died in December 2014. It stated that she and Father
loved Gary very much and that Gary grew up to be a fine man, but that he “forgot all the
things that mean so much.” Mother’s letter to Gary acknowledged that “[Father] was
6
very hard on you” but suggested that Gary forgot the things Father did for him. The letter
stated that Gary “stayed away for fifteen years + called twice” then “came around [to] see
what you could get from him” when Father got sick. Mother continued,
Even the [gun] club men thought you should have ma[d]e up and let
by gones be gone. But you didn’t. Now it’s too late.
Well Gary I’m gone too. You should have come to see me I have
been pretty sick.
I have one thing to say. It’s in the Bible. Honor thy Father + thy
Mother. But Gary you forgot that. Good Luck Gary and God Bless You
and your family.
Love You,
Mother
Gary testified that he was confused by this letter because he did visit Mother in the years
before she died and made even more attempts to visit her but was unsuccessful. He also
noted that during the period that he and Father were not speaking, he still maintained
contact with Mother, so he believed her comment about staying away fifteen years and
calling twice was factually untrue.6 Gary was also surprised by Mother’s suggestion that
he came around before Father died to “see what [he] could get” because he did not ask
for anything from Mother or Father. He said her comment “just didn’t seem to fit.”
Mother’s younger daughter, Rita, testified as well. She resided in Murfreesboro.
Rita testified that she always had a good relationship with Father, but she acknowledged
getting into a physical altercation with Sharon before Father died. Rita said that Sharon
told her on numerous occasions that Mother only had one daughter, referring to herself.
Rita described one occasion when she was visiting with Father and talking with him on
the couch, and Sharon approached Mother, who was standing nearby, and whispered in
her ear. Mother then said to Rita, “You need to speak louder where I can hear. You’re
sucking up to the wrong person. I am going to outlive him.” Rita testified that Sharon
started laughing.
According to Rita, Sharon told her quite frequently that “everything in regards to
Mom had to be cleared with her, because she was the power of attorney.” Rita confirmed
that Sharon “became infuriated” when Gary’s wife suggested a rehabilitation center for
Mother after her surgery. According to Rita, Sharon said that Gary’s wife was interfering
6
Rita also testified that the statement about Gary only calling twice in 15 years was untrue. She testified
that Mother was always excited when she talked to Gary and would tell Rita when they had talked.
Sharon’s adult daughter similarly testified that Mother (her grandmother) was always happy to see Gary
and that she was not aware of any animosity between them. However, she also said the years he did not
come around broke Mother’s heart.
7
in her area as the power of attorney and that if she did not stay out of Sharon’s business,
Sharon would get a restraining order against her. Rita testified that she offered to take
Mother to doctor’s appointments many times and that Sharon always declined her offers.
Rita testified that she also invited Mother to come to her home on numerous occasions,
and Mother indicated a desire to go, but Sharon insisted that Rita did not know how to
administer Mother’s medication, take care of her oxygen, and meet Mother’s dietary
needs due to her diabetes.
Rita testified that she visited Mother at Sharon’s house but that it was very
uncomfortable because Sharon and her husband would not allow her to have any private
time with Mother and listened to their conversations. She testified that on one occasion
she took Mother to play bingo after Father died, and Mother told her that Sharon had
instructed their brother Roger to meet them there and listen to their conversations. Rita
also testified that Mother made comments to her about not knowing how much money
she had and her need to have a yard sale.
Rita said that Sharon accused her of stealing various things over the years,
including Sharon’s husband’s wedding ring. Sharon also accused Rita of taking out a
loan in Sharon’s husband’s name and opening a Macy’s credit card in Mother’s name.
Rita denied all of these accusations.
Rita testified that she often tried calling Mother at Mother’s house and at Sharon’s
house to no avail. Sharon and her husband testified that Rita called Mother multiple
times a day at their house. On June 22, 2012, Mother’s attorney sent the following letter
to Rita:
I have recently been contacted by your mother, Laura Farmer. She
informs me that you have been calling her multiple times per day and
leaving voice mails. She views this as harassment. She asked me to write
you to request that you cease and desist immediately. She tells me that she
has your telephone number and your address and that if she wishes to
communicate with you, she will certainly call or write.
Ms. Farmer would like for you to please stop calling her. She
does not desire to take this matter to the next level and ask the Court for a
Restraining Order, nor does she want to file criminal charges against her
own daughter for harassment.
I spoke with Ms. Farmer directly and not your sister, Sharon. These
are her wishes and she would like for you to respect those wishes. I will not
be sending you a second letter with this same request, civil demeanor or
polite tone.
If you continue to call Ms. Farmer in the same harassing manner and
8
contrary to her wishes, then I will advise her to act accordingly, which may
involve legal actions against you. Please do as your mother asks. Cease
and desist immediately and refrain from further contact until she
contacts you.
Rita found it very strange that Mother’s attorney included the remark about Sharon.
On June 28, 2012, Rita wrote a response to Mother’s attorney insisting that he was
only getting one side of the story. Rita claimed that she was only calling Mother once a
day in the hopes of reaching her to talk or meet for lunch. She wrote that her family was
being manipulated and destroyed “for monetary reasons.” She claimed that Mother had
been “manipulated into believing that her children were stealing from her” and that she
and her brothers had been unable “to get anywhere near our mother since our father died”
because of the lies being told to cause distrust and ill feelings. She wrote, “[Mother] has
been convinced she cannot live on her own . . . and she has been taken away from me and
my other siblings since my father passed away two years ago by numerous stories
consisting of little to no truth whatsoever so that she will be solely dependent on
[Sharon].” Rita ended by stating, “You can [] rest assured that this will be the last time
you or Ms. Farmer (my mother) will hear from me and I hope I can expect the same from
you.”
Rita testified that in spite of the letters with Mother’s attorney, nothing actually
changed between her and Mother -- she continued to talk to Mother and visited her
several times “when it was allowed.” According to Rita, Sharon told her that she could
only visit Mother at her house if she or her husband was at home, not while they were at
work. She said that a couple of times she went to Sharon’s house to try to find Mother
and found Mother’s vehicle parked in the backyard behind a fence as if it was hidden.
Rita testified that she was “not allowed” to see Mother on birthdays or special occasions
because Sharon would make up stories that they were out of town when they were not,
and Rita saw them in town together. Rita testified that she left gifts at the door and that
Mother said she never received them. Rita said she frequently drove to Mother’s house
in an attempt to see her there. She said that she could sometimes see movement inside
the house, and on a few occasions Mother came to the door crying and said that she was
not allowed to let Rita inside, as she had been instructed that Rita might steal from her or
ask her for money. Rita testified that Sharon eventually told her that if she or her
brothers showed up at Mother’s house, the neighbors had been instructed to call the
police to report them for trespassing.
According to Rita, Mother told her she was afraid that Rita and her brothers were
going to put her in a home and take all of her money for themselves. Rita testified that
she and her siblings had never discussed putting Mother in a home and that Mother was
9
fearful based on “what she had been told we were going to do to her.” Rita testified that
Mother also indicated that she was afraid of Sharon. Rita said that she had heard
Sharon’s husband describe altercations between Mother and Sharon in which he had to
physically separate them.
Rita was not aware of Mother’s revised will prior to her death. Rita testified that
Mother would always say, “I have four children. Everything I own will be divided
amongst my four children.” Mother’s November 2013 will left $2,000 to Rita and stated,
“This is the ONLY thing that I am bequeathing to Rita Gail because I have been very
disappointed in her disrespectful actions and attitude toward me since the passing of my
husband and her father.” Mother’s handwritten letter to Rita stated that Father “thought a
lot of you” and “would rock you a lot. But sometimes you would stray.” She also noted
in her letter that she left Rita “a little something; it’s not much.” Rita believed that
Sharon unduly influenced Mother by turning her against the other three children for
Sharon’s own personal gain.
Roger was the final sibling to testify. He said that he initially had a really good
relationship with Sharon after Father passed away. He confirmed that Sharon asked him
to follow Rita and Mother to bingo in order to basically “be a watchdog” and listen to
their conversations. Roger testified that Sharon had also instructed him to lie to Rita and
Gary and tell them that Mother was out of town so that they would not come to birthday
celebrations or other events. He said Sharon instructed him not to share information with
Rita about what was going on with Mother. Roger said Sharon made similar requests on
other occasions, directing him to be sure he “kept an eye on” Rita if she came to visit. He
said Sharon would generally say that Rita had stolen from her and that she would also
steal from Mother. He said Sharon also told Mother that Rita would take things. Roger
also overheard Sharon tell Mother that she should put away certain things that were in the
house because Gary would come and take them. Roger testified that he also heard
Sharon’s husband tell Mother on more than one occasion that if she made a new will, she
should include a provision stating that if anyone contested it they would get nothing.
Roger said he had observed altercations between Sharon and Mother more times
than he could count. He saw Mother slap Sharon during one altercation. He claimed he
had heard Sharon threaten Mother and say, “I have to tell you how much money you can
spend.” Roger testified that Sharon balanced Mother’s checkbook because Father had
balanced it in the past and Mother could not understand how to do it after he died. He
had also observed Sharon writing checks from Mother’s checkbook.
Roger said that an odd thing happened on his birthday in January 2011. He
testified that Mother always gave her children and grandchildren a birthday card with $5
on their birthdays, even into adulthood. On this birthday, however, Roger visited Mother
10
at Sharon’s house, and Mother handed him a card with a check for $1,000. He made a
comment about the strangeness of the situation, and Sharon said, “Well, I told Mom that
you needed to have a thousand dollar check.” Mother’s bank records revealed that a
$1,000 check was also written to Sharon’s husband shortly thereafter with a notation that
it was for his birthday. The handwriting expert identified this as one of the checks on
which Sharon wrote Mother’s signature.
Roger testified that he did maintenance and repair work at Mother’s house after
Father passed away and that Mother gave him a garage door opener and key to her
house.7 However, Mother said, “Whatever you do, don’t tell Sharon I gave you a key.”
Roger said that Mother often made similar statements if she confided in him about
anything, adding, “Do not tell Sharon.”
Roger testified that he went with Mother to a post-operative doctor’s appointment
at the hospital and that Sharon showed up unexpectedly. He asked why she was there,
and she insisted that she needed to be there because she was “the POA.” Roger said
Sharon insisted that she was the only one who could fill out Mother’s paperwork and
accompany her in the room with the doctor. According to Roger, Mother then insisted
that he could go in with her to see the doctor, so he and Sharon both accompanied Mother
when she saw the doctor. Roger testified that the doctor told Mother that she had
recovered well from her surgery and could start driving and caring for herself again.
However, after the appointment, he overheard Sharon tell Mother that the doctor had said
that she could not return home. When Roger interrupted and said that was not true,
Sharon became really upset. Roger believed Sharon feared losing control of Mother. He
said Sharon told him that she needed to “keep an eye” on Mother and did not want Rita or
Gary coming around to talk to Mother.
Roger testified that home health care givers stayed with Mother about twelve
hours per day and arrived hours before Mother woke in the mornings, around the time
Sharon left for work. Roger said he questioned the justification for having Mother spend
so much money on home health care, and Sharon responded, “I’m making sure that no
one comes to see Mom.”
Roger testified that Mother asked him to assist her in completing an inventory of
the guns that remained in Father’s gun safe after he died. He said that Mother opened the
safe because he did not know the combination, and the safe only contained guns. He
7
Several other checks from Mother’s account were written to Roger during this general timeframe for
small amounts such as $33, $42, $46 and $48. Roger testified that he was performing maintenance
projects at Mother’s house and that Mother reimbursed him for various receipts from Lowe’s and other
stores. One check to Roger was for $100 with a notation for “gutter cleaning.” Sharon confirmed during
her testimony that Roger was often “up there doing stuff around [Mother’s] house.”
11
testified that he and Mother labeled and inventoried the guns and returned everything to
the safe. The next day, Sharon called Roger and asked him if he found $3,000 in cash in
the safe. Roger said there was no money in the safe, but Sharon insisted that there was.
Roger testified that Sharon was really mad at him and at Mother because they accessed
the gun safe “without her authority.” He said Sharon insisted that because she was “the
POA,” she should have been present during the inventory.
Roger testified that any time he took Mother to run errands, she always wanted to
stop by the bank to ask for a bank statement. He testified that in late January 2011,
Mother asked him to take her to the bank, and he did so without knowing why they were
going. He testified that Mother sat down with a lady at the bank and talked to her about
something she wanted to do. During this meeting, Mother signed the documents
necessary to close a $40,000 certificate of deposit that had previously listed as the
account owners Mother, Roger, and Sharon. The account documents provided that only
one signature was required for withdrawal. Mother closed this CD and put the money
solely in Roger’s name. Roger testified that this money was for his son’s golf tour and
that Father had always wanted to sponsor him. Roger testified that when Mother
completed the transaction, she said, “Whatever you do, do not tell Sharon. Sharon will
get mad at me for doing this.”
When Mother’s bank statement arrived in the mail, Sharon discovered the transfer
of the $40,000 CD. According to Roger, Sharon called him screaming and accused him
of taking Mother’s money. He said he tried to explain that he did not take the money and
that Mother asked him to take her to the bank and was nice enough to give him the CD.
Sharon stated in a text message that Mother did not remember what occurred. Shortly
thereafter, Roger wrote letters jointly addressed to Mother and Sharon in an effort to
address various issues, including the CD. He stated in the letter that Sharon’s disposition
toward him had begun to change when he supported Mother in her desire to return to her
own home after surgery. He wrote, “This is when our relationship started to change and I
finally figured it out. It was because Sharon was going to lose control of Mother’s every
move, she couldn’t keep Gary or Rita away and now she was starting to do the same
things to me that she had done to them.” Roger suggested in his letter that Mother was a
sound and intelligent individual and capable of making her own decisions but that Sharon
was keeping Mother at her house so that no one could see her and so that Sharon could
manipulate her decisions. He wrote in the letter that Sharon was accusing her siblings of
wrongdoing in order to brainwash Mother into thinking they were out to take everything
she owned. He noted Sharon’s most recent accusation that he had scammed Mother out
of a large sum of money. He wrote that he was concerned with Sharon’s motives and
suggested that Sharon did not have Mother’s best interest at heart when it came to what
Mother wanted to do. He questioned Sharon acting as power of attorney and suggested
that a power of attorney should not use his or her position as leverage against other
12
siblings. He requested either the removal of Sharon as power of attorney or the addition
of another sibling as secondary power of attorney to avoid further conflicts.
Roger’s letter was written on May 2, 2011. On May 27, 2011, Mother executed
the document appointing Sharon as her power of attorney. As noted above, prior to that
date, Sharon did not actually have power of attorney, but Mother believed that she did
and Sharon had never informed her otherwise. Around this time, the locks were changed
on Mother’s house so that Roger no longer had access to it.
Roger testified that he went to see Mother at Sharon’s house around this time, and
Mother came outside and apologized and said that she could not let him inside. He said a
home health care worker was also present and said, “I’ve been instructed by Sharon that
you cannot come into the house.” Roger said he proceeded to talk with Mother on the
porch, and the home health care worker sat beside them. He questioned her about this,
and the home health care worker said that Sharon had instructed her to remain present
and “monitor” Mother if Roger, Rita, or Gary came to visit.
Roger testified that Mother also started distancing herself from him. He testified
that Sharon falsely told Mother that he had removed things from Mother’s house and her
safe when he had been at Mother’s home performing work. He testified that he only had
one gun from Mother’s home, and that was a pistol that Father gave to him before he
died. He testified that he never took anything out of the safe and that he did not even
know the combination.
Roger described instances when he tried to visit Mother at her own house, and she
would not answer the door or her phone even though he could hear Mother walking
around inside. He said that on one occasion when he tried to visit Mother at her house,
she opened the blinds and stood there with tears running down her face saying that she
could not let him in because she would “get in trouble” with Sharon. Roger testified that
Sharon eventually told him that she had instructed Mother’s neighbors to call the police if
he, Rita, or Gary pulled into Mother’s driveway.
Like his other siblings, Roger was unaware of Mother’s 2013 will until she died.
He also testified, like Rita and Gary, that Mother had always told him that she intended to
divide her estate equally between the four children. In Mother’s November 2013 will,
she left Roger “any guns currently in his possession” but nothing else. The will, which
was drafted by Mother’s attorney, stated, “Since I have already gifted him the certificate
of deposit, I do not desire that he should receive any other funds from my estate.” The
will further provided, “The reason I am not including my son, Roger Farmer, in this my
Last Will and Testament is because I have previously gifted to him a large sum of money,
which is his inheritance.” The handwritten letter from Mother to Roger stated:
13
I received your letter. My lawyer has it. The things you took out of
the safe should be returned to me. It wasn’t yours to take. That’s call[ed]
stealing. Your Father didn’t [want] you to have anything . I don’t see you
because I don’t want too. You hurt me pretty bad. I will be pas[sed] on by
the time you get this letter.
You have gotten all you[’re] getting from me or your father. If you
contest this letter or will you get nothing anyway.
Love
Mother
Roger believed that the November 2013 will did not reflect Mother’s true desire and that
she was under pressure from Sharon.
Mother’s attorney testified that he prepared the will in accordance with Mother’s
very specific instructions, and although Sharon drove Mother to the office, Sharon was
not present and Mother had no prepared notes when he drafted the will. The attorney
testified that he told Mother that “she could do what she wanted to with her property.”
The attorney testified that Mother “was under the impression” that Gary and Roger had
taken some of the guns and that they were not all in the basement where she kept them in
the gun safe. So, the attorney testified that Mother basically said, “whatever guns they
have, they can keep them.” Mother also told the attorney that Roger had taken her to the
bank and had a certificate of deposit transferred into his name “against her wishes, and as
far as she was concerned, that was his inheritance” and “all he was going to get” from
her. He recalled Mother stating that Roger had taken her to the bank when she had just
left the hospital or was medicated or something along those lines, and that he had her sign
a CD over to his name when that was not what she wanted. The attorney testified that
“[s]he was upset with Gary – not Gary so much, but Roger and – and Rita Gail, because
she didn’t appreciate the way that she felt like they acted toward her when their father,
her husband, passed away.” He said Mother expected that her children would be
dismayed about the will and asked him to insert a provision that if any of her children
contested the will, his or her bequest would be void. Mother was 86 years old when she
made the will, but the attorney testified that he had no question as to her mental abilities
or memory. Another attorney in the office, who witnessed Mother’s will, also testified at
trial. Mother also told her that Roger was able to take the money from her when she was
on medication. Both attorneys described Mother as strong-willed.
The certificate of deposit had been transferred to Roger on January 31, 2011, and
Mother’s surgery was performed in November 2010. A medical record was introduced at
trial indicating that Mother visited her doctor eight days before the certificate of deposit
was transferred, and Mother reported to her doctor that she was feeling well and having
no side effects from her medications. Sharon testified at trial that when the statement
14
arrived in the mail reflecting the transfer of the CD, Mother asked her “what it was for.”
Sharon testified that she and Mother had a discussion about the CD at that time. Sharon
was asked at trial whether she (Sharon) had ever stated that Roger was able to obtain the
CD because of mental infirmities of Mother. She responded, “My mom had got out of
the hospital in December after her open-heart surgery . . . So she was recuperating at my
house in January, when Roger took her, when I was at work.” She implied that the
medical record from that timeframe was not trustworthy because that particular doctor
also treated Roger.
Sharon’s daughter testified that she spoke with Mother (her grandmother) nearly
every day and that Mother had told her about the transfer of the CD to Roger. According
to Sharon’s daughter, Mother “called him a name” and said that she did not realize until it
was too late that the CD had been taken away from her. Rita testified that Sharon and
Mother both discussed the CD with her as well. Rita testified that Sharon was the first to
mention it and said that Roger had stolen money from Mother. Subsequently, Mother
told Rita that she was very upset with Roger and that he had taken money away from her
that was supposed to be for her future.
Roger testified that Mother never said anything to him during her lifetime
indicating that she was upset about the transfer of the CD. He said the issue was never
mentioned aside from in Mother’s letter. Roger testified that Sharon was the only one
who accused him of scamming Mother and taking her money.
Mother’s November 2013 will left numerous specific devises to various other
family members and left the remainder of the estate, including her home, to Sharon.
Sharon’s husband received $10,000 under the will, and Sharon’s daughter received an
IRA worth $27,000, furniture, two dolls, and all of Mother’s jewelry. Mother also left
$1,000 to her sister, $2,000 each to her grandson and four great-grandchildren, and
$5,000 each to the National Rifle Association and the American Heart Association.
Sharon stipulated that she received more under the 2013 will than she would have
through intestacy. The record is not clear as to the value of the property Sharon actually
received under the will. In Sharon’s petition to probate the 2013 will, she estimated that
Mother owned property worth roughly $625,000 at the time of her death in addition to
two checking accounts. Plaintiffs’ complaint alleged that Mother had “several hundred
thousand dollars in her bank account” when she drafted the will in 2013, but no evidence
was admitted at trial regarding the balance in the accounts at the time of her death. Gary
testified that he did not believe that Mother was aware of how much money she really
had because she left only $1,000 to her sister, and they were very close.
15
Mother’s only living sister testified as well.8 She testified that she and Mother
talked on the phone nearly every day and that Mother told her that she had changed her
will. She said Mother was not easily influenced and in general she made her own
decisions. She said Mother did not let anyone boss her around, even Sharon. Mother’s
sister testified that she would be surprised to learn that Sharon signed checks for Mother
and believed “she would not do that.” She did not believe that Sharon would ever write
checks out of Mother’s account to herself or her husband.
Mother’s sister testified that Mother called her crying quite a few times about
Roger and Rita and that Mother “was terrified of them.” However, she also testified that
she and Mother discussed the CD that Roger received, and Mother told her that Roger
“got $40,000 from his daddy to help out his son in the golf tournaments, and the daddy
let him have it.” Mother’s sister understood that Roger “was given it” and said that
Mother did not indicate “one way or another” whether she was pleased or displeased
about the transaction.
At the close of Plaintiffs’ proof, they moved the court to find the existence of a
confidential relationship between Sharon and Mother and therefore shift the burden to
Sharon to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the will was not the product of
undue influence.9 Plaintiffs pointed to the facts that Sharon held power of attorney for
Mother, often lived with Mother, wrote checks from Mother’s checking account, and
utilized Mother’s credit card, while Mother relied on Sharon for her health and financial
needs. Plaintiffs also argued that Sharon turned Mother against them and convinced her
after-the-fact that the transfer of the CD was accomplished by theft. However, Plaintiffs
emphasized that they were only seeking to shift the burden of proof on the basis of a
confidential relationship and not moving for judgment in their favor or seeking a ruling
on “the case in full.”
The trial court entered its written order on April 20, 2016. The trial court found
that a confidential relationship did exist between Sharon and Mother. However, the court
went on to find, by “at least clear and convincing proof, that this lady was not influenced
in the execution of her Will.” The court noted that all parties described Mother as
8
Mother’s sister was of advanced age and had difficulty walking. She was called as a witness by the
defendants but permitted to testify out of order so that she would not have to wait an extended period at
the courthouse.
9
The trial court had earlier considered Plaintiffs’ motion to shift the burden at the conclusion of Sharon’s
testimony. At that point, the trial judge stated, “The Court finds that a lot of the testimony of [Sharon]
has been of questionable credibility, but the Court doesn’t find any proof in the record so far that would
overcome or establish the undue influence to the point of transferring the burden.” Earlier, during
Sharon’s testimony, the trial judge indicated that he was “terribly frustrated” by Sharon’s inconsistent
answers and angry demeanor and that he did not understand how she could have misstated the facts
regarding her bankruptcy proceedings “by 30 years.”
16
“strong willed.” The court found that Mother was “of sound mind and disposing
memory,” knew what she had to leave, and “knew the natural objects of her affection, so
much so that she elected to write letters of explanation after the time she did her Will.”
The court found that Mother knew there would be consternation and explained why she
did what she did. The court found that Mother “was a lady who was not influenced by
anyone.” It found the execution of the will “impeccable” and that Mother “acted on her
own,” “provided her own information,” and knew exactly what she wanted to do. The
court noted Mother’s “rather distressing statement” before Father died to the effect that,
“You’re sucking up to the wrong one. I’m going to outlive him.” The court added, “This
is not something that is said by a person subject to influence.”
The trial court did not resolve any of the factual conflicts in the testimony from
trial, with the exception of the issue about the CD. The trial court found that Mother
“gave the proceeds of this Certificate of Deposit to one of the children” and “was not
defrauded in that exercise.” The court found that “[i]f she was going to be defrauded in
that exercise, then any of the co-owners of that account could have defrauded her and
never told her about it,” as Roger was listed as an owner of the CD even before the
transfer and could have withdrawn it by his signature alone. However, the court
continued, “[t]hat’s not how it was handled.” Instead, the court found, “Mom was taken
to the bank so that she could do this transaction that she didn’t have to do, but she wanted
to do.” The court concluded that Mother’s position was: “That’s all I’m going to do. I’m
not going to do anymore.”
In conclusion, the court concluded that the 2013 will contained Mother’s wishes,
and it dismissed the will contest and affirmed the will. Plaintiffs timely filed a notice of
appeal to this Court.
II. ISSUES PRESENTED
Plaintiffs present the following issue for review on appeal:
Whether the trial court erred when it held that the proof at trial overcame
the presumption of undue influence and established, by clear and
convincing evidence, that the Last Will and Testament of Laura Copeland
Farmer [“Mother”] was fair to [Mother] and that her daughter, Sharon [],
did not unduly influence [Mother] in the adoption of [Mother’s] Last Will
and Testament.
For the following reasons, we vacate the decision of the trial court and remand for further
proceedings.
17
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 41.02 provides, in relevant part:
(2) After the plaintiff in an action tried by the court without a jury has
completed the presentation of plaintiffs evidence, the defendant, without
waiving the right to offer evidence in the event the motion is not granted,
may move for dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the
plaintiff has shown no right to relief. . . . The court as trier of the facts may
then determine them and render judgment against the plaintiff or may
decline to render any judgment until the close of all the evidence. If the
court grants the motion for involuntary dismissal, the court shall find the
facts specially and shall state separately its conclusions of law and direct
the entry of the appropriate judgment.
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 41.02(2). A trial court may also order the involuntary dismissal of an
action sua sponte. Harris v. Baptist Mem’l Hosp., 574 S.W.2d 730, 731 (Tenn. 1978). A
Rule 41.02(2) motion for involuntary dismissal challenges the sufficiency of the
plaintiff’s proof and requires the trial judge to “impartially weigh and evaluate the
plaintiff’s evidence just as it would after all the parties had concluded their cases” and
determine if the plaintiff has failed to demonstrate a right to the relief sought. Burton v.
Warren Farmers Co-op., 129 S.W.3d 513, 520-21 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2002). On appeal, this
Court uses the familiar standard of Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 13(d) to
review the trial court’s disposition of the motion “because the trial court has used the
same reasoning to dispose of the motion that it would have used to make a final decision
at the close of all the evidence.” Id. at 521.
A trial court’s findings of fact from a bench trial are presumed to be correct, and
we will not overturn those factual findings unless the evidence preponderates against
them. Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d); In re Estate of Ledford, 419 S.W.3d 269, 277 (Tenn. Ct.
App. 2013). “For the evidence to preponderate against a trial court’s finding of fact, it
must support another finding of fact with greater convincing effect.” Watson v. Watson,
196 S.W.3d 695, 701 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005) (citation omitted). Appellate courts afford
trial courts considerable deference when reviewing issues that hinge on the credibility of
the witnesses because trial courts are uniquely positioned to observe the witnesses’
demeanor and conduct. Kelly v. Kelly, 445 S.W.3d 685, 692 (Tenn. 2014). We review
the trial court’s resolution of legal questions de novo with no presumption of correctness.
Id.
18
IV. DISCUSSION
We begin with the following guidance from the Tennessee Supreme Court:
Courts should exercise the utmost care and caution before concluding that
the solemn act of a decedent, such as execution of a deed or will, should be
invalidated; but, it is equally important that they be vigilant to prevent
imposition upon those who are weak, frail, and vulnerable to the influence
and importunities of others who exercise a dominant position over them.
Richmond v. Christian, 555 S.W.2d 105, 109 (Tenn. 1977).
In Tennessee, “a will may be challenged on the basis that the decedent was subject
to the undue influence of another in executing the will.” Childress v. Currie, 74 S.W.3d
324, 328 (Tenn. 2002). “[U]ndue influence, at its core, contemplates some coercive
conduct aimed at destroying the testator’s free agency to such an extent that the stronger
will of the proponent overcomes the will of the testator.” In re Estate of Link, No.
M2015-02280-COA-R3-CV, 2017 WL 696841, at *14 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 22, 2017)
(citing Keasler v. Estate of Keasler, 973 S.W.2d 213, 220 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997)).
Because direct evidence of undue influence is rarely available, in most cases contestants
establish undue influence by proving the existence of suspicious circumstances
warranting “a conclusion that the will’s execution was not the product of the testator’s
free and independent act.” Id. at *7 (citing Kelley v. Johns, 96 S.W.3d 189, 195 (Tenn.
Ct. App. 2002)). The courts have not prescribed an exact formula for the type or number
of suspicious circumstances necessary to invalidate a will based on undue influence.
Grimes v. Cornell, No. M2010-01461-COA-R3-CV, 2011 WL 2015519, at *2 (Tenn. Ct.
App. May 23, 2011), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Aug. 26, 2011). “The scope of the proof
regarding undue influence is quite broad.” Mitchell v. Smith, 779 S.W.2d 384, 388
(Tenn. Ct. App. 1989).
The range of inquiry may cover, not only the provisions of
the will itself, and the circumstances surrounding its
execution, but also the mental condition of the testator, the
motive and opportunity of others to influence him unduly, his
relations with persons benefited by or excluded from the will,
and the acts and declarations of such persons. Although none
of these matters standing alone may be sufficient to establish
the issues, yet taken together they may have that effect.
19
Hager v. Hager, 17 Tenn. App. at 161, 66 S.W.2d at 260.
The suspicious circumstances most frequently relied upon to
establish undue influence are: (1) the existence of a confidential
relationship between the testator and the beneficiary; (2) the testator’s
physical or mental deterioration; (3) the beneficiary’s active involvement in
procuring the will. See In re Elam’s Estate, 738 S.W.2d 169, 173 (Tenn.
1987); Kelly v. Allen, 558 S.W.2d 845, 848 (Tenn. 1977); Taliaferro v.
Green, 622 S.W.2d at 835-36.
Other recognized suspicious circumstances include: (1) secrecy
concerning the will’s existence; (2) the testator’s advanced age; (3) the lack
of independent advice in preparing the will; (4) the testator’s illiteracy or
blindness; (5) the unjust or unnatural nature of the will’s terms; (6) the
testator being in an emotionally distraught state; (7) discrepancies between
the will and the testator’s expressed intentions; and (8) fraud or duress
directed toward the testator. See Halle v. Summerfield, 199 Tenn. at 454-
57, 287 S.W.2d at 61-62; American Trust & Banking Co. v. Williams, 32
Tenn. App. 592, 606-07, 225 S.W.2d 79, 85 (1948); see also 1 Pritchard on
the Law of Wills and Administration of Estates § 145 (4th ed. 1983); 25
Tenn. Jur. Wills § 24 (1985); Tennessee Pattern Instructions—Civil §
11.59.
Id.
When there is a confidential relationship between two parties followed by a
transaction by which the dominant party receives a benefit from the weaker party, a
presumption of undue influence arises that may be rebutted only by clear and convincing
evidence of the fairness of the transaction. Childress, 74 S.W.3d at 328 (citing Matlock
v. Simpson, 902 S.W.2d 384, 386 (Tenn. 1995)). “A confidential relationship is any
relationship which gives one person dominion and control over another.” Id. (citing
Mitchell, 779 S.W.2d at 389). The party claiming the existence of a confidential
relationship has the burden of proving it. Id.
The evidence in this case supports a finding (and the parties do not appear to
dispute) that a confidential relationship existed between Sharon and Mother. Again, the
core definition of a confidential relationship requires proof of dominion and control.
Currie, 74 S.W.3d at 329. Sharon was officially named Mother’s power of attorney in
2011, and Mother believed that Sharon was acting as her power of attorney even before
that time. The record contains additional evidence of dominion and control due to the
20
facts that Mother lived with Sharon and depended on her for assistance with her medical
needs, financial matters, and transportation.
“Once a confidential relationship has been shown and a presumption of undue
influence arises, the burden shifts to the dominant party to rebut the presumption by
proving the fairness of the transaction by clear and convincing evidence.” Childress, 74
S.W.3d at 328. However, in this context, the term “fairness” does not suggest an inquiry
into whether the person who benefitted from the will deserved what the will provided, or
whether the testator did right by those who would ordinarily be the objects of the
testator’s bounty. In re Estate of Link, 2017 WL 696841, at *15 (quoting Matter of
Estate of Depriest, 733 S.W.2d 74, 79 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1986)). Instead, our focus is on
the testator’s capacity and whether the provisions of the will were arrived at through the
testator’s own free agency rather than the imposition of someone else’s will. Id.; see also
McMillin v. McMillin, No. E2014-00497-COA-R3-CV, 2015 WL 1510766, at *5 (Tenn.
Ct. App. Mar. 31, 2015), perm. app. denied (Tenn. July 23, 2015) (explaining that the
question is not whether the weaker party’s decision was a good one, but whether it was a
free and independent decision rather than induced by the dominant party).
Ultimately, “[t]he issue of undue influence should be decided by the application of
sound principles and good sense to the facts of each case.” Childress, 74 S.W.3d at 329
(quotation omitted). Again, the party trying to rebut the presumption of undue influence
must establish, by clear and convincing evidence, “‘that the transaction was fair and not
procured through undue influence.’” In re Estate of Farmer, No. M2013-02506-COA-
R3-CV, 2014 WL 5308226, at *9 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 15, 2014) (quoting Parish v.
Kemp, No. W2007-02207-COA-R3-CV, 2008 WL 5191291, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec.
11, 2008)). “The difficulty in proving the fairness of a transaction varies depending on
the circumstances of a particular case and the strength of the presumption of undue
influence.” In re Estate of Murdaugh, No. W2011-00041-COA-R3-CV, 2011 WL
6141067, at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 8, 2011) (citing Richmond, 555 S.W.2d at 108).
The evidence presented thus far at trial has established several suspicious
circumstances that, when taken together, could warrant a conclusion that Mother’s will
was not entirely Mother’s free and independent act. Specifically, the evidence
establishes: a confidential relationship between Mother and Sharon; Mother’s poor
physical health; Sharon taking Mother to the attorney’s office when she executed the
will; secrecy concerning the will’s existence; unnatural terms in the will; discrepancies
between the will and Mother’s expressed intentions; and fraud or duress directed toward
the testator. The November 2013 will was executed when Mother was 86 years old and
in declining health. She began living with Sharon part-time shortly after losing her
21
husband and undergoing triple bypass surgery. Mother was diagnosed with pulmonary
fibrosis and required oxygen every day, and she also took eight to ten pills a day for
diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other issues. According to Roger, Sharon
lied to Mother about her doctor’s instructions regarding returning to her own home.
Sharon provided Mother with transportation and maintained a very active role in
Mother’s medical care, dispensing her medications, accompanying her to doctor’s
appointments, and communicating with medical professionals on Mother’s behalf.
Sharon had power of attorney for Mother beginning in 2011 and allowed Mother
to believe that she possessed power of attorney even before that date, even though she did
not. Sharon insisted that her siblings were not allowed to take Mother to doctor’s
appointments, fill out paperwork on her behalf, or handle other matters due to Sharon’s
role as power of attorney, even when Sharon did not actually possess power of attorney.
Sharon allegedly poisoned the relationship between Mother and Gary’s wife because
Sharon believed that Gary’s wife was attempting to put Mother in a nursing home and
interfering in her area as power of attorney (again, all while Sharon did not actually have
power of attorney). Mother also began to fear that Gary’s wife and Plaintiffs wanted to
put her in a nursing home.
Sharon had filed for bankruptcy twice in the past and may have been balancing
Mother’s checkbook during this time. Mother’s bank statements were mailed to Sharon’s
home, and Sharon’s husband picked up Mother’s remaining mail. Roger heard Sharon
tell Mother that she had to decide how much money Mother could spend. Sharon used
Mother’s credit card when no documentary evidence suggests that she had authority to do
so. Checks were written to Sharon from Mother’s bank account on a regular basis for
large sums of money. Sharon testified that she repaid over $15,000 in loans from Mother
in cash but provided no proof of such payments. Sharon or her husband also received
over $20,000 in additional checks from Mother’s account, and according to the
handwriting expert, Sharon signed Mother’s name to these checks. Checks from
Mother’s account were also written in order to buy Sharon new appliances and windows
for her home. Sharon told Mother that Roger needed a $1,000 check for his birthday then
wrote one for her husband shortly thereafter. During this same timeframe, Mother
complained to more than one person that she was low on money and needed to have a
garage sale. Evidence was presented to suggest that Mother and Sharon had numerous
altercations about money and other issues. And, Mother allegedly stated on a regular
basis, “Whatever you do, don’t tell Sharon.”
According to Gary, Rita, and Roger, Sharon shielded Mother from interacting with
them. Sharon lied or instructed others to lie about Mother’s whereabouts to prevent Rita
22
and Gary from visiting her. When they did visit, Sharon or others acting on her behalf
monitored their conversations. Sharon arranged for home health care workers to stay
with Mother to ensure that no one visited and to monitor Mother’s visits when they did.
When Sharon learned that Mother gave Roger a key to her house, the locks were
changed.
Sharon accused all of her siblings of stealing from Mother. Roger testified that
Sharon also told Mother that Gary and Rita would steal things. The gun that Gary
allegedly stole was found in Mother’s gun safe after she died. Mother eventually told her
children that she was not allowed to let them in her house because she would get in
trouble with Sharon or because they might steal from her.
Plaintiffs’ allegations of fraud and undue influence began long before they learned
of Mother’s 2013 will after her death in 2014. Roger wrote letters addressed to Mother
and Sharon as early as 2011, accusing Sharon of trying to control Mother’s every move
and keep the other siblings away from her. He suggested in the letters that Sharon
wanted to isolate Mother so that she could manipulate Mother’s decisions and brainwash
her into thinking that Plaintiffs wanted to take everything she owned. It was only after
these letters were written that an actual power of attorney was executed, later that month.
Then, in 2012, Rita wrote to Mother’s attorney stating that Sharon was destroying the
family for monetary reasons and manipulating Mother into believing that Plaintiffs were
stealing from her. She accused Sharon of preventing Plaintiffs from getting anywhere
near Mother so that Mother would be solely dependent on Sharon. Eventually, Sharon
told her siblings that the neighbors had been instructed to call the police if they tried to
visit Mother. Mother’s sister testified that Mother was “terrified” of Roger and Rita.
Sharon always drove Mother to her attorney’s office and did so on the date that
Mother executed the November 2013 will. The will left the majority of the estate to
Sharon even though Mother told Gary, Rita, and Roger numerous times over the years
that she intended to divide her estate equally among the four children. None of the
siblings knew about the November 2013 will until after Mother died. Roger testified that
Sharon’s husband told Mother that if she made a new will she should add a provision that
anyone who contested it would receive nothing, and Mother included such a provision in
her November 2013 will.
Although Mother’s will was drafted by an attorney, the statements made by
Mother when discussing her will with the attorney are noteworthy. The attorney testified
that Mother was “under the impression” that Gary and Roger had taken guns from
23
Mother’s basement. Mother told the attorney specifically that she did not leave anything
to Roger because he had stolen the CD from her. She said it was transferred while she
was on medication or medically fragile and that it occurred “against her wishes, and as
far as she was concerned, that was his inheritance” and “all he was going to get.”
Notably, however, the trial court found that Mother was not defrauded with regard to the
CD. As he aptly noted, Roger’s name was already listed on the account, and he could
have withdrawn the CD unilaterally. The trial court expressly found that “Mom was
taken to the bank so that she could do this transaction that she didn’t have to do, but she
wanted to do.” (Emphasis added.) This conclusion is supported by the testimony of
Roger and also Mother’s sister, who testified that Mother told her that Roger got the CD
“from his daddy” and that he was given the CD to help his son with his golf tournament.
However, by the time Mother executed her will in 2013, she believed, as she told her
attorney and several others, that Roger had wrongfully taken the CD by taking advantage
of her when she was medicated and that he effectively stole it from her.
The trial court also noted that before Father died, Mother stated that Rita was
“sucking up to the wrong person.” However, Rita testified that Sharon whispered in
Mother’s ear immediately before Mother made this statement and that Sharon started
laughing immediately thereafter. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Mother
made this statement at Sharon’s suggestion.
Because the trial court entered its order of dismissal in favor of Sharon at the close
of Plaintiffs’ proof, she did not have an opportunity to present her witnesses in an effort
to provide clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption of undue influence.10
On appeal, Sharon suggests that it was “not unnatural” for Mother to favor her over the
other children because she was the one caring for Mother and seeing to her needs.
However, the facts demonstrating that Sharon had a close relationship with Mother and
provided her with housing and transportation, while Mother allegedly did not have a good
relationship with the other siblings, “are somewhat of a double-edged sword.” See In re
Estate of Murdaugh, 2011 WL 6141067, at *5. These facts could support Sharon’s
contention that it was Mother’s love for Sharon and Sharon’s family that led her to leave
the majority of her estate to them. However, such facts can “just as easily support a
finding of undue influence.” See id. These facts do not provide clear and convincing
10
We qualify this statement somewhat. Mother’s elderly sister testified out of order as a matter of
convenience. However, her testimony was very brief, spanning only eight pages of the trial transcript
from the three-day trial. The trial judge also directed the defendants to call the attorney who prepared the
will and the two witnesses who signed it at the very beginning of the trial in order to “prove the will.”
Defense counsel stated that he had intended to wait and call the attorney in the context of the will contest,
but the trial judge instructed him to call them first. It is not clear whether he would have re-called these
witnesses if the trial had proceeded to its conclusion.
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evidence in the present case to rebut the presumption of undue influence.
Sharon also points to the fact that an attorney prepared the will. “Oftentimes, the
fairness of a contested will is demonstrated by presenting evidence that the testator
received independent advice in preparing the will.” In re Estate of Link, 2017 WL
696841, at *8 (citing In re Estate of Maddox, 60 S.W.3d 84, 89 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001)).
However, “the existence of independent advice may not be sufficient to rebut a
presumption of undue influence especially in a case, such as this, where the particular
circumstances strengthen the presumption of undue influence.” In re Estate of
Murdaugh, 2011 WL 6141067, at *5.
The trial court’s order did not state whether it found the presence or absence of
any “suspicious circumstances.” The trial court acknowledged that Sharon’s argument
could “be best described as ‘so what.’” Specifically, before the trial court, Sharon had
argued, “In [Mother’s] mind Roger Keith Farmer unfairly removed $40,000.00 from
[Mother’s] account, and it does not matter whether that thinking was correct or incorrect,
because it is only of importance the way [Mother] saw it.” We disagree with this
assertion. One of the “suspicious circumstances” that courts must consider in an undue
influence case is “fraud or duress directed toward the testator.”11 Mitchell, 779 S.W.2d at
388. “Fraud (intentional misrepresentation) has been widely recognized in Tennessee as
one of the suspicious circumstances that may be relied upon to establish undue
influence.” Francis v. Barnes, No. W2012-02316-COA-R3-CV, 2013 WL 5372851, at
*9 (Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 23, 2013) (citing Kelley, 96 S.W.3d at 196). “[U]ndue influence
may be grounded on false and fraudulent representations made to the testator.” Cude v.
Culberson, 209 S.W.2d 506, 521 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1947). In order to avoid a will for
undue influence of this nature, it is necessary “that the statements be false; that the
testator be unable, through weakness of mind and body, or concealment of the facts, to
determine the falsity of the statements and resist the influence; and that he rely and act on
them rather than on other motives and inducements.” Id.
11
We note that the doctrine of undue influence is closely related to fraud but distinguishable from it.
Eledge v. Eledge, No. M2015-01055-COA-R3-CV, 2016 WL 3178537, at *11 n.4 (Tenn. Ct. App. May
26, 2016) (no perm. app. filed). In many cases, both may be present. Id.
[T]he basic ingredient of a fraud claim is deception, which is based on a trick or other use
of false information that induces a person to dispose of his or her property in a way he or
she would not otherwise have done but for the fraud, while a claim of undue influence is
based on the exertion of pressure to break down a person's will power so that the person
is unable to keep from doing what he or she would not otherwise have done.
Id.
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The evidence at trial demonstrates that in the years before Mother died, she began
to believe that Gary, Rita, and Roger stole numerous things from her and wanted to put
her in a nursing home. Based on the evidence presented thus far, neither of these beliefs
was true. The evidence further demonstrates that these false beliefs originated with
Sharon. Sharon isolated Mother from Plaintiffs and controlled most aspects of Mother’s
daily life at a time when Mother was of advanced age and deteriorating health. Most
importantly, the evidence establishes that Mother’s false beliefs about these issues
impacted her decision-making with regard to her will. We therefore conclude that
Sharon, at this stage of the proceedings, has not proven by clear and convincing evidence
that Mother’s 2013 will was the product of Mother’s free and independent judgment as
opposed to the imposition of Sharon’s influence. Because Sharon has not yet presented
clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption that the 2013 will was procured
by undue influence, we vacate the trial court’s decision and remand for further
proceedings.
V. CONCLUSION
For the aforementioned reasons, the decision of the trial court is hereby vacated
and remanded for further proceedings. Costs of this appeal are taxed to the appellee,
Sharon Farmer Lovett, for which execution may issue if necessary.
_________________________________
BRANDON O. GIBSON, JUDGE
26