IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 96-CA-01190-SCT
IN RE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT AND ESTATE
OF MRS. ELIZABETH R. SMITH, DECEASED:
DAVID R. SMITH AND MRS. ANNETTE SMITH,
HUSBAND AND WIFE
v.
MRS. JEANETTE AVERILL AND OREN PICKERING
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 08/29/96
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. HYDE RUST JENKINS, II
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: ADAMS COUNTY CHANCERY COURT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANTS: DANIEL J. O'BEIRNE
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES: J. ANTHONY WILLIAMS
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED - 10/22/98
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED: 11/12/98
BEFORE SULLIVAN, P.J., MILLS AND WALLER, JJ.
MILLS, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
¶1. On December 16, 1994, the Last Will and Testament of Mrs. Elizabeth R. Smith was admitted to
probate in Adams County, Mississippi. Jeanette Averill and Oren Pickering, the sole surviving heirs at
law of the testatrix, filed their petition to contest probate of will and for accounting on February 2,
1995. They contend that the testatrix, Mrs. Elizabeth R. Smith, lacked testamentary capacity and was
unduly influenced by either David R. Smith, his wife Annette Smith, or both. On August 29, 1996, a
jury in Adams County, Mississippi, entered a unanimous verdict in favor of Averill and Pickering.
Aggrieved, David R. Smith and his wife, Annette Smith, bring this appeal assigning the following
issues as error:
I. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN RESERVING RULING ON THE
SMITHS' MOTION IN LIMINE ON THE ISSUE OF WILL SUBSTITUTES AND
ALLOWING AMENDMENT BY AVERILL AND PICKERING ON THIS ISSUE.
II. WHETHER THE VERDICT OF THE JURY WAS CONTRARY TO THE
OVERWHELMING WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND CONTRARY TO LAW.
III. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE SMITHS'
MOTIONS FOR A DIRECTED VERDICT ON THE ISSUES OF TESTAMENTARY
CAPACITY AND UNDUE INFLUENCE.
IV. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE SMITHS'
MOTION FOR JUDGMENT NOTWITHSTANDING THE VERDICT OR IN THE
ALTERNATIVE MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
V. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE SMITHS'
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON THE ISSUE OF WILL SUBSTITUTES AND
RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP.
VI. WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED IN OBJECTING FROM THE BENCH TO
THE TESTIMONY OF DANIEL J. O'BEIRNE.
Jeanette Averill and Oren Pickering cross-appeal raising the following issue:
WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THE JOINT
BANK ACCOUNTS PASSED OUTSIDE THE ESTATE AND WERE NOT PART OF
THE WILL CONTEST.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
¶2. The testatrix, Mrs. Elizabeth R. Smith lived on Springfield Road in a mobile home on the
property of her daughter, Jeanette Averill, until late May or early June 1994. She moved her trailer to
Morgantown Road around June 1994 and died December 11, 1994, after signing an instrument titled
"Last Will and Testament" in September 1994. This instrument purported to convey the entire estate
of the testatrix to David R. Smith Sr., the nephew of the testatrix by marriage, and his wife, Annette
Smith. This conveyance expressly excluded Jeanette Averill and Oren Pickering, the testatrix's
children by a prior marriage and the sole heirs at law of the testatrix. A residuary clause provided that
if both David R. Smith Sr., and wife, Annette Smith, predeceased the testatrix the estate should go in
trust to four named great nephews. This instrument recited that it revoked all prior wills, specifically
providing for revocation of a will dated May 23, 1993. There were at least two prior wills including
the one dated May 23, 1993, and one dated June 29, 1994. The will in contest was created by
changing certain provisions in the will dated June 29, 1994.
¶3. The testatrix had two bank accounts at Britton and Koontz First National Bank. One account was
designated a N.O.W. account and the other a M.M.A. account. The testatrix initially listed Jeanette
Averill on both accounts as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship. Prior to June 1994, the testatrix
took Jeanette Averill's name off these accounts and instead added David R. Smith Sr., as a joint
tenant with rights of survivorship. In June 1994, the testatrix executed a power of attorney in favor of
David R. Smith Sr. Averill and Pickering contested the probate of the latest will upon learning the
testatrix had excluded them from inheriting and had left her entire estate to the Smiths.
I. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN RESERVING RULING ON THE
SMITHS' MOTION IN LIMINE ON THE ISSUE OF WILL SUBSTITUTES AND
ALLOWING AMENDMENT BY AVERILL AND PICKERING ON THIS ISSUE.
A. Motion in Limine
¶4. A trial judge enjoys wide discretion with regard to the relevancy and admissibility of evidence.
Fisher v. State, 690 So.2d 268, 274 (Miss. 1996). The Court will not reverse the ruling of the trial
judge unless the judge commits an abuse of discretion which prejudices the party bringing the motion.
Fisher, 690 So.2d at 274.
¶5. The Smiths made a motion in limine to exclude any mention of the joint accounts of the testatrix.
They claim the accounts, as will substitutes, pass outside of the will and should be no part of this will
contest. On Friday, before the will contest began Monday, the chancellor discussed his decision
regarding the motion in limine:
It would seem to me that I have ruled that this case today [there] will be one issue decided, the
issue [of] whether this Will is good or bad. It is either good or it is bad by reason of undue
influence or lack of capacity. . . . I think that there can be evidence . . . [that] when this bank
account was opened that they took her down there and they did this and they did that . . . . I
think that is relevant and probative . . . .
The chancellor bifurcated the will substitutes issue and reserved ruling on that issue until necessary.
The chancellor ruled that in the will contest there should be no mention of rights of survivorship on
the bank accounts. He limited any mention of the accounts to evidence of a confidential relationship
to prove undue influence. The Smiths suffered no prejudice because of the chancellor's ruling and
there was no error.
B. Amendment To Pleadings
¶6. While the chancellor granted the Smiths' motion in limine in this portion of the trial, one issue
remains. Should the chancellor have ordered bifurcation of the trial and allowed amendment to the
pleadings? The Smiths assert that the chancellor should not have allowed an amendment since Averill
and Pickering made no motion seeking amendment of the pleadings. In fact, appellees made no
argument that they should be allowed to amend even on the Friday the chancellor discussed his
ruling.
¶7. Counsel for the Smiths alleged the issue of the joint bank accounts had not been specifically pled.
In response, counsel for the appellees said, "Well, it's not. It says that she was without capacity to
make the will and there was undue influence in the execution of the will. The cases don't make that
distinction."
¶8. Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 15 governs amendment to pleadings and recites: "[L]eave
shall be freely given when justice so requires." M.R.C.P. 15(a). This Court reviews the decision to
allow amendment under an abuse of discretion standard. Church v. Massey, 697 So.2d 407, 413
(Miss. 1997). We have held that unless we are convinced there was an abuse of discretion by the trial
judge, we have no authority to reverse. Id. Additionally, we have ruled, "The court is to be liberal in
granting permission to amend when justice so requires." Shipley v. Ferguson, 638 So.2d 1295, 1300
(Miss. 1994)(quoting M.R.C.P. 15(b)).
¶9. The trial court's decision to bifurcate the issue of will substitutes gives the Smiths additional time
to prepare their case. The Smiths cite no prejudice which resulted from the chancery court's decision,
and we find no error in allowing amendment.
CROSS - APPEAL:
WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THE JOINT
BANK ACCOUNTS PASSED OUTSIDE THE ESTATE AND WERE NOT PART OF
THE WILL CONTEST.
¶10. In their cross-appeal, Averill and Pickering suggest the issue of will substitutes should have been
included in the original will contest and not heard separately. We need not reach the validity of the
chancellor's decision since the order granting a separate trial is not appealable as a final judgment.
M.R.C.P. 42(b) cmt; See 9 Charles Alan Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and
Procedure, §2392 2d ed.(1995). This assignment of error is not properly before the Court.
II. WHETHER THE VERDICT OF THE JURY WAS CONTRARY TO THE
OVERWHELMING WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE AND CONTRARY TO LAW.
III. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE SMITHS'
MOTIONS FOR A DIRECTED VERDICT ON THE ISSUES OF TESTAMENTARY
CAPACITY AND UNDUE INFLUENCE.
IV. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE SMITHS'
MOTION FOR JUDGMENT NOTWITHSTANDING THE VERDICT OR IN THE
ALTERNATIVE MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
¶11. The second, third and fourth assignments of error are addressed together as the same facts are
applicable to all three issues. Proof of testamentary capacity and undue influence forms the basis of
the Smiths' assignments of error.
A. Testamentary Capacity
¶12. Did the chancery court err in allowing the jury to decide the question of testamentary capacity?
A determination of testamentary capacity is based on three factors:
1. Did the testatrix have the ability at the time of the will to understand and appreciate the
effects of her act?
2. Did the testatrix have the ability at the time of the will to understand the natural objects or
persons to receive her bounty and their relation to her?
3. Was the testatrix capable of determining at the time of the will what disposition she desired
to make of her property?
Gallaspy v. Gallaspy, 562 So.2d 74, 77 (Miss. 1990); Edwards v. Edwards, 520 So.2d 1370, 1372
(Miss. 1988).
¶13. The proponents of the will must meet their burden of proof "by the offering and receipt into
evidence of the will and the record of probate." Edwards, 520 So.2d at 1372-73 (quoting Harris v.
Sellers, 446 So. 2d 1012, 1014 (Miss. 1984)). A prima facie case is made by the proponent solely on
his proof. Id. at 1373. When this burden of proof has been met, the burden of going forward shifts to
the contestants to overcome the prima facie case. Id. at 1373. However, the burden of proof remains
with the proponent to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the testator had capacity. Id.
After the contestants have attempted to rebut the prima facie case, the proponents may come forward
with additional proof in rebuttal. Id. When weighing all the testimony, this Court has held that it is
easiest for subscribing witnesses to tip the scales toward capacity. Webster v. Kennebrew , 443 So.2d
850, 859 (Miss. 1983). This Court has also recognized that although a testator may not possess
capacity one day, the next week he may have a lucid interval in which he has the capacity to execute
a valid will. Edwards, 520 So.2d at 1373. Therefore, testimony regarding capacity from witnesses
who have not seen the testator in months will be deemed irrelevant by the Court. Id. The date of
execution is of utmost import. Id.
¶14. In the instant case, the appellants made a prima facie case on the issue of testamentary capacity.
Attempts to rebut this evidence yielded several witnesses. Appellees claim that decedent did not have
the ability to understand or appreciate the nature of her act of making a will since the family members
felt she had "lost her wits" in January 1994.
¶15. Because this Court will deem irrelevant any testimony dating back months before the time the
will was signed, much of the appellees' proof was too distant to have significant import. However,
Oren Pickering says he visited his mother, the testatrix, " an average of four times after she moved
out [to Morgantown Road]." His wife, Mary Pickering, testified her husband averaged seeing the
testatrix three to four times a year. When visiting after his mother's move, Pickering testified it often
took his mother a minute to recognize him. Jeanette Averill stated that during the same time period
the testatrix did not always recognize her or her family. Oren Pickering's wife, Mary Pickering, also
testified that after the move she once saw the testatrix give the hairdresser a blank check. She
thought that was unusual since the testatrix had always been very careful with her money.
Additionally, David Smith Sr., and his wife, Annette Smith, testified as adverse witnesses that they
were taking care of the testatrix's finances and that she executed a power of attorney in favor of
David Smith Sr.
¶16. The testatrix moved almost four months before the execution of the will in issue. These pieces of
testimony relate to that four month period and are probative of the testatrix's specific ability at the
time the will was signed to understand and appreciate the effects of her act, to understand the objects
or persons to receive her bounty, and to determine the disposition of her property.
¶17. This Court conducts a de novo review of motions for directed verdict. Northern Elect. Co. v.
Phillips, 660 So. 2d 1278, 1281 (Miss. 1995). When the Court finds upon considering all the
evidence favorable to the non-moving party and any reasonable inferences that can be drawn from
this evidence a question for the jury is presented, the Court will not grant this motion. Id.The trial
court should only submit an issue to the jury when the evidence creates a question of fact over which
reasonable jurors could disagree. Vines v. Windham, 606 So.2d 128, 131 (Miss. 1992). In the
instant case, there were questions of fact relating to the testatrix's capacity over which reasonable
jurors could disagree. The contrasting accounts of the testatrix's mental state and the credibility of
each account was weighed by the jury. The chancellor did not abuse his discretion.
B. Undue Influence
¶18. Appellants next contend the chancery court erred in denying their motion for a directed verdict
on the matter of undue influence. A presumption of undue influence arises in a will contest when a
beneficiary occupies a confidential relationship with the testator and there is active participation by
the beneficiary in either procuring the will or in preparing the will. Simm v. Adams, 529 So.2d 611,
615 (Miss. 1988). Suspicious circumstances surrounding the creation of the will also raise the
presumption. Pallatin v. Jones, 638 So.2d 493, 495 (Miss. 1994). However, we held the test was
satisfied and the presumption was raised in In re Estate of Harris, 539 So.2d 1040 (Miss. 1989),
with very little besides a confidential relationship. Harris, 539 So.2d at 1041. The beneficiary simply
found an attorney at the testator's request and drove the testator to the attorney's office. Id.
¶19. It is clear there was a confidential relationship between the testatrix and the Smiths. The testatrix
was dependent on the Smiths, they controlled her finances, and she executed a power of attorney in
favor of David Smith Sr. Annette Smith testified "we were her legs". It is undisputed that the testatrix
initiated contact with Daniel O'Beirne when she called for an appointment in June 1994, and again
when she wrote Mr. O'Beirne that she had changes to make and detailed them. However, David
Smith drove her to Mr. O'Beirne's office and sat in the lobby while she executed the will in contest
here.
¶20. The appellees argue that it was suspicious that the testatrix changed the alternate beneficiaries in
the last will to the grand-nephews instead of the Shriner's hospital since they contend she hardly knew
these nephews. They also contend it is suspicious that David Smith looked at the will on the way out
of Mr. O'Beirne's office. These are not the types of suspicious circumstances contemplated by this
Court. We described a situation where the beneficiary was stepping in and out of the room at the time
of execution as suspicious. Pallatin, 638 So.2d at 495. The evidence offered by Averill and Pickering
instead tends to show the testatrix's changes were unnatural. Averill and Pickering tried to show that
a mother would not disinherit her children in favor of her nephew by marriage and his family.
However, this is not the proper consideration. Even if the changes were unnatural, this is not the
proper basis for a finding of undue influence. Wallace v. Harrison, 218 Miss. 153,163, 65 So.2d
456, 459 (1953).
¶21. However, Averill and Pickering presented ample evidence of the testatrix's mental infirmity and
dependence upon the Smiths. When considered with David Smith's participation in taking the
testatrix to Mr. O'Beirne's office, the presumption of undue influence arises.
¶22. To overcome this presumption of undue influence, the Smiths were required to prove the
following by clear and convincing evidence:
1. The beneficiaries must have acted in good faith.
a. Who initiated the procurement of a will?
b. Where was the will executed and in whose presence?
c. What consideration was paid?
d. Who paid the consideration?
e. Was there secrecy or openness in the execution?
2. The testatrix must have had full knowledge and deliberation in the execution.
a. Was the testatrix aware of her total assets and their general value?
b. Did the testatrix understand who her natural inheritors were?
c. Did the testatrix understand how the change would legally effect prior wills?
d. Did the testatrix know that non-relative beneficiaries would be included?
e. Did the testatrix know who controlled her finances and by what method?
1. How dependent is the testatrix on those handling her finances?
2. How susceptible is she to influence by those handling her finances?
3. The testatrix must have exhibited independent consent and action.
Pallatin, 638 So. 2d at 495-97.
¶23. The beneficiaries must have acted in good faith. The testatrix called Daniel O'Beirne in June
1994 to make an appointment and eventually executed the will in dispute here in Mr. O'Beirne's office
while David Smith Sr., who carried her to the appointment, sat outside in the lobby. The testatrix
paid for Mr. O'Beirne's services with her personal check. Averill and Pickering contend there was
secrecy in the execution since they had no knowledge of the execution of the will. However, the
actual issue to be addressed is whether the physical place the will was executed was in plain view of
the witnesses. Pallatin, 638 So.2d at 496. There has been no suggestion that the testatrix was
secretive with the attesting witnesses.
¶24. The testatrix must have had full knowledge and deliberation in the execution. Both sides
presented conflicting evidence about the testatrix's knowledge of her relatives and the alternate
beneficiaries. Additionally, there is strong evidence to suggest that the testatrix did not know a great
deal about her finances. It is evident that she relied to a large degree on David and Annette Smith.
¶25. The testatrix must have exhibited independent consent and action. She had the opportunity to
consult with a lawyer who was neutral and to discuss what she wished to do with her finances. There
is evidence to suggest she was strong willed. She left Jeanette's house, perhaps of her own volition.
She also had the names on her joint bank account changed to remove Jeanette. However, Averill and
Pickering attribute this behavior to undue influence from the Smiths and cite the testatrix's overriding
physical and mental dependence. They refer to her inability to recognize her own family in the last
months of her life. The chancery court did not err in refusing to grant a directed verdict for the
Smiths since the evidence created a question of fact over which reasonable jurors could disagree.
C. Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict and New Trial
¶26. When the trial court has denied a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, we have
held:
We consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the appellee, giving that party the
benefit of all favorable inferences that may reasonably be drawn from the evidence. If the facts
so considered point so overwhelmingly in favor of the appellant that reasonable men could not
have arrived at a contrary verdict, we are required to reverse and render. On the other hand, if
there is substantial evidence in support of the verdict, that is, evidence of such quality and
weight that reasonable and fair minded jurors in the exercise of impartial judgment might have
reached different conclusions, affirmance is required.
Fitzner Pontiac-Buick-Cadillac, Inc. v. Smith, 523 So.2d 324, 326 (Miss. 1988).
¶27. It was within the province of the jury to determine what weight to give to the witnesses'
testimony. Giving the moving party all the favorable inferences that could be drawn, reasonable jurors
could have reached different conclusions as to testamentary capacity and undue influence. We must
affirm.
¶28. "A motion for a new trial . . . is addressed to the trial judge's sound discretion." Andrew
Jackson Life Ins. Co. v. Williams, 566 So.2d 1172, 1177 (Miss. 1990) (citing Jesco, Inc. v.
Whitehead, 451 So.2d 706, 714-15 (Miss.1984)). In this case, there was ample evidence on which
the jury could base its verdict for Averill and Pickering. The chancery court did not abuse its
discretion.
V. WHETHER THE CHANCERY COURT ERRED IN OVERRULING THE SMITHS'
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON THE ISSUE OF WILL SUBSTITUTES AND
RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP.
¶29. The validity of the summary judgment motion denied in the second part of this bifurcated trial is
not properly before the court since there has been no final judgment on this issue. Miss. Code Ann.
§ 11-51-3 (Supp. 1998). For a decree to be appealable under this code section, it must be final as to
all parties and all issues. American Empire Life Ins. Co., 291 So.2d 735, 736 (Miss. 1974). Rule
54(b) states:
When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action . . . the court may direct the entry
of a final judgment as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties . . . .
In the absence of such determination and direction, any order or other form of decision,
however designated which adjudicates fewer than all of the claims . . . of fewer than all the
parties shall not terminate the action . . . and . . . is subject to revision at any time before the
entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of the parties.
M.R.C.P. 54(b). This assignment of error is not properly before the Court.
VI. WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED IN OBJECTING FROM THE BENCH TO
THE TESTIMONY OF DANIEL J. O'BEIRNE.
¶30. The chancellor's remarks when Mr. O'Beirne took the stand create the basis of this assignment
of error:
[JURY RETURNED]
THE COURT: All right, you may call your first witness.
MR. O'BEIRNE: Your honor, as a witness of the Will I will be the first witness.
THE COURT: No, Sir.
MR. O'BEIRNE: I beg your pardon. We've already covered that.
THE COURT: That was about a deposition. Let's go back in my chambers.
The Smiths first cite Nichols, a case involving plain error where the trial judge directly questioned
witnesses more than once and gave a "quite open display of incredulity before the jury both of the
plaintiff's case and of the plaintiff himself." Nichols v. Munn, 565 So.2d 1132, 1137 ( Miss. 1990).
The second case cited by the appellants involves a trial judge who commented in admitting evidence
that the sun would be in driver's eyes at time and place of accident, referring to his own experience in
similar circumstances. Young v. Anderson, 249 Miss. 539, 163 So.2d 253 (1964).
¶31. The court's comments here consisting of "No." and "That was about a deposition. Let's go back
in my chambers." fail to rise to the level of error described in Nichols or Young. After the
conversation in chambers, Mr. O'Beirne was allowed to testify. The chancellor's concern seems to
have been over the ethical ramifications of a lawyer testifying in a lawsuit in which he is participating.
While we held that a lawyer could serve as an advocate although he was also a witness in Pittman v.
Currie, 414 So.2d 423, 426-27 (Miss. 1982), it is easy to understand the trial court's concern over
this ethical matter. We find no error in the chancellor's comments.
CONCLUSION
¶32. The chancellor did not abuse his discretion in reserving ruling on the appellants' motion in limine
nor did he abuse his discretion in allowing amendment and bifurcation as to the issue of will
substitutes. There were issues of material fact for the jury to consider and the chancellor properly
denied the Smiths' motions for a directed verdict. There was no basis for a grant of a judgment
notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial.
¶33. The chancellor's denial of summary judgment on the will substitutes issue cannot be properly
addressed since there has been no final judgment in this portion of the trial. Finally, the chancellor's
response to the initiation of testimony by Mr. O'Beirne was proper. Therefore, the unanimous verdict
of the Adams County jury is affirmed.
¶34. AFFIRMED ON DIRECT APPEAL. CROSS-APPEAL IS NOT PROPERLY BEFORE
THE COURT AND IS DISMISSED.
PRATHER, C.J., SULLIVAN AND PITTMAN, P.JJ., BANKS, McRAE, ROBERTS, SMITH
AND WALLER, JJ., CONCUR.