Bruce Evans Cobb and Ronald Zachary Cobb v. Daphne Cobb ( 2020 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2018-CA-01725-COA
BRUCE EVANS COBB AND RONALD APPELLANTS
ZACHARY COBB
v.
DAPHNE COBB APPELLEE
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 10/24/2018
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. JAMES B. PERSONS
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: HARRISON COUNTY CHANCERY COURT,
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANTS: JIM L. DAVIS III
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE: TIMOTHY LEE MURR
NATURE OF THE CASE: WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED - 04/28/2020
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE CARLTON, P.J., TINDELL AND McDONALD, JJ.
McDONALD, J., FOR THE COURT:
¶1. This is an appeal from a judgment of the Chancery Court of Harrison County
concerning the distribution of the investment-account proceeds of Robert Cobb, deceased,
among his sons, Bruce and Zach Cobb, and his wife, Daphne Cobb. Bruce and Zach had
been the sole beneficiaries, but four days before his death, Robert signed a new beneficiary
form, adding Daphne. The chancery court found that Bruce and Zach had failed to prove by
clear and convincing evidence that at the time that Robert signed the change-of-beneficiary
form, he did so because of Daphne’s undue influence or that Robert lacked mental capacity
to make the change. From this judgment, Bruce and Zach appeal. Finding no error, we
affirm the judgment of the chancery court.
Facts and Procedural History
¶2. Robert and Daphne were married on July 25, 2011. Robert was sixty-two years old
and had been previously married. They both worked at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport; he
worked as a director of hospitality, food nutrition, housekeeping, and security, supervising
over 300 employees, and Daphne worked as a nurse. They met in 2000 and began dating in
2004. By 2009, Daphne was living with Robert most of the time, though she never sold her
own home. Despite Robert’s frequent proposals, Daphne felt there was no rush to be
married. Even family members agreed that Robert loved Daphne very much.
¶3. In early 2011, things changed. Daphne was diagnosed with skin cancer that had
traveled through her nervous system to her facial bones. She underwent several surgeries and
radiation treatments. Shortly thereafter, in June 2011, Robert was diagnosed with cancer of
the small bowel that had spread to his lungs and pancreas. At this point, they decided to
marry. They had no prenuptial agreement, and they added each other to their bank accounts
and life insurance policies.
¶4. Robert had two sons from his previous marriage: Bruce and Zach. His relationship
with Zach was good, but it was “up and down with Bruce.”1
¶5. After his cancer diagnosis, Robert took medical leave. But on January 10, 2012, he
decided to retire and contacted Cathy Wood, the vice president of human resources at the
hospital, to begin the process. He requested the lump-sum payment retirement option. Wood
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Robert and Bruce had some disagreements about Bruce’s use of Robert’s credit card
and medication.
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spoke to Robert again on January 20, 2012, updating him on the processing of the paperwork
that would be given to Daphne to bring to him. At the time of his death, Robert owned four
investment accounts with The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC) valued
at $472,034.34. Bruce and Zach were originally the named beneficiaries to share equally in
the investment accounts.2
¶6. Wood emailed Brian Milner, the VALIC representative, about Robert’s plans. Milner
prepared the necessary paperwork that Robert would need to sign. Daphne was told by
human resources personnel to go by Milner’s office to pick up the paperwork for Robert to
sign, which she did on February 6, 2012. According to her, when she arrived, Milner had the
paperwork ready, except for whom was to be listed as beneficiaries. Daphne called Robert
and gave the phone to Milner. Milner spoke to Robert and wrote in Daphne, Bruce, and Zach
as the beneficiaries. There were tabs put on the paperwork where Robert needed to sign.
According to Daphne, Milner said he was going out of town in a day or two, so she wanted
to get the paperwork back to him before that time. There are inconsistencies within the
paperwork Milner prepared concerning the amounts in the accounts, but there was no
testimony that Daphne was responsible for them.
¶7. Milner did not remember the specifics as did Daphne. But he confirmed that he wrote
in the names of the beneficiaries after he had spoken to Robert. Milner knew Robert had
initiated these changes because Milner would not accept anyone else talking to him about
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Robert also had a life insurance policy that had named them as beneficiaries. After
his marriage to Daphne, he added her as a beneficiary as well. Both sons were aware of this
addition.
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such a matter. There was no evidence that Daphne had initiated or suggested the change of
beneficiaries.
¶8. On his last visit to M.D. Anderson Hospital on January 25, 2012, Robert was noted
to be very fatigued but “awake, alert, and oriented x 3.” At this time, Robert was wearing
a fentanyl patch and took multiple doses of Dilaudid for pain. At Robert’s medical
examination on January 30, 2012, to determine permanent disability, Dr. Purushottam V.
Pande noted that he explained a possible therapy that could be prescribed, but Robert said
he was not interested in it. Dr. Pande recorded that Robert’s prognosis was extremely poor
“and it is well understood by him [(Robert)].” No medical testimony was provided on the
issue of Robert’s mental capacity as of February 7, 2012.
¶9. Although visibly physically ill, Robert still visited Memorial Hospital on February 1,
2012, to see the newly remodeled kitchen and dining room that he had helped design. His
sons, Bruce and Zach, and his wife, Daphne, were with him. His friend Larry Henderson,
vice president of administrative services at the hospital, arranged the visit. Larry was
Robert’s supervisor, and they had worked together for twenty-two years. They were close
personal friends as well. Larry testified that Robert was an avid Alabama football fan and
that they traveled to Tuscaloosa in November 2011 to attend a game. Regarding that tour of
the hospital’s kitchen, Larry described Robert during direct examination:
Q. Could you tell me a little bit about Robert and that day, whatever day,
January or February, and what you observed about him that day?
A. Robert was obviously very sick. He was weak, but he was able to tour.
We toured for probably, I don’t know, 25 or 30 minutes, walked
through the kitchen. And he would ask questions about what do we do
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about this, and what do we do about that, and why did you change that
when I didn’t want it changed. And then at the end, we were standing
kind of in a hallway, and he just said, it looks good.
Henderson said Robert understood everything and asked appropriate questions. He was still
“the same Robert” he had known.
¶10. On February 7, 2012, Larry Henderson, his wife Diane, and Cathy Wood visited
Robert at home to present him a plaque and give him his retirement package. Concerning
Robert’s condition at that time, Larry’s testimony follows:
Q. Tell me a little bit about -- Mr. Henderson, tell me a little bit about
Robert’s involvement in the conversation.
A. We had a conversation like we had had for the last 22 years. I asked
Robert questions. Robert asked me questions. Diane asked Robert
questions. We just talked like we had always talked.
Q. Were you talking like the two of us are talking now?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did anyone have to cover for Robert or help him in the conversation?
A. No, sir.
Q. What did you observe in this conversation on February the 7th, 2012,
about Robert’s ability to speak?
A. Robert spoke. He spoke slower than he used to, but he spoke clearly
and distinctly. He carried on a conversation with us.
Q. Other than speaking slower, was there anything different about the way
Robert spoke on February the 7th than he did in years earlier at the
hospital?
A. No.
¶11. All three co-workers testified that they met with Robert for thirty to forty minutes and
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that during that time he was mentally “the same old Robert,” remembering past events,
speaking clearly, and even discussing hospital gossip. Robert did not drift off to sleep or
“glaze over in the conversation.” Cathy Wood, who had known Robert since 1982, had the
following exchange:
Q. And what did the -- what did you specifically talk about with Robert?
What was the subject of your conversations?
A. You know, we -- I can’t remember real specifics, but, you know, we
talked about old times. We talked about things that we had done. We,
of course, reminisced about some of the things we did during the storm,
how we reacted. We -- I remember being surprised that Robert was up
on hospital gossip and mentioned things that I didn’t know was going
on.
¶12. On February 8, 2012, Robert signed the change-of-beneficiary form. Family members
dispute how the papers came to be signed. Robert’s sister, Donna Russell, who was close
to her brother, was in the kitchen that morning. She said that Bruce took Robert outside to
the garage, where they had put some chairs because Robert would go there to smoke. Donna
said that Daphne had an envelope and was walking around inside, fidgeting. When Bruce
came in for a moment, Daphne went outside. Donna was suspicious and told Bruce to go
outside and see what was going on. He did, but Donna never followed-up to find out. Donna
said she was not concerned when she learned he had signed papers because Robert had told
her that he was retiring, and she thought it was his retirement paperwork. Bruce said he was
present when his father was signing papers, but Bruce did not know specifically what the
papers were. Bruce said Daphne stood behind Robert and indicated where he needed to sign.
Neither Bruce nor Donna asked Daphne what Robert had signed, despite Bruce’s later
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contention that Robert was not competent to sign at the time.
¶13. According to Daphne, on February 7, Robert said he did not feel up to signing the
paperwork. Then next day, he said he was feeling better, and they went into the garage
where he could smoke. Daphne said she asked Donna to come, but Donna declined. Bruce
asked to come and Daphne readily agreed. In the garage, Bruce sat in one chair and Daphne
in another, while Robert went through the papers and signed. If Robert had a question,
Daphne would sometimes get up to look over what he wanted and answered his question.
She said that she told Bruce that he was a witness to this, and she asked if he had any
questions. Bruce did not. But Daphne did say that when she got to the change-of-
beneficiaries portion, Daphne just said, “[H]ere is the change. Is that what you want?”
Robert replied, “Yes.” But she did not call out the names of the beneficiaries.
¶14. Daphne’s daughter, Erin Bailey, testified that she had known Robert since he started
dating her mother in 2003 or 2004. She said she and her children would visit her mother and
Robert on weekends and two or three times during the week. During the last two weeks of
his life, Bailey testified that Robert’s speech was clear and not slurred and that he would not
glaze over in a conversation or fall asleep. Bailey also testified that she was present at the
home on the day Robert signed the papers, and she verified her mother’s testimony that
Daphne asked Donna to come into the garage when Robert signed the papers. Donna
declined to do so.
¶15. The parties agree that the signatures and initials on the forms are Robert’s and are not
forgeries.
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¶16. Within an hour of signing the papers, Robert was visited by Rev. Victor Chatham, a
retired hospital chaplain and personal friend. Chatham testified that he first met Robert in
1989 at Memorial Hospital where Chatham eventually became chaplain. They developed a
friendship through different circumstances, which continued after Chatham retired in 2007.
Chatham considered himself Robert’s friend at times and as his chaplain at others. When
Robert was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, Robert called and met with Chatham at that time.
On February 8, 2012, when Chatham arrived, Robert addressed him by the name “Victor.”
The two met in the garage where Robert smoked two cigarettes. At first, Bruce was with
them, but then Robert asked Bruce to leave. Chatham was asked a series of questions about
Robert’s abilities to communicate:
Q. All right. And in this conversation when the two of you are in the
garage, who did most of the talking?
A. Robert.
Q. Could you describe to the Court what you observed about his speech
-- the manner of his speaking?
A. He spoke the way Robert always spoke.
Q. Which is how?
A. Clearly and to the point.
Q. Were his words slurred or unable to understand?
A. No.
Q. Did you have any trouble understanding what he was trying to tell
you?
A. No.
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Q. Did Robert participate in the conversation the two of you had?
A. Yes.
Q. And did he respond in an appropriate manner?
A. Yes.
....
Q. No difference mentally?
A. Nothing.
....
Q. What is the basis of your opinion of what you just said? Why do you
say that?
A. Well, first of all, after the time that we spent together that’s privileged,
there was a time afterwards that we went into the living room, and the
people from Riemann’s Funeral Home were there talking about
arrangements. And I had said to Robert that I really had a hard time
with Ms. Young’s funeral and -- since I knew her so well, and that I
might have difficulty with his. And he looked at me, and he said, don’t
worry, Victor, you won’t even have to see me. I’ll be in that box right
there, and you wouldn’t have to see me.
¶17. Like other co-workers, Chatham found Robert mentally to be “the same old Robert.”
As Chatham noted, Robert also met with funeral home representatives to discuss his funeral
arrangements. Daphne, Donna, Bruce, and Zach were also present. Bruce testified that
Robert was able to hold a limited conversation about the music that was chosen, et cetera.
But becoming emotional, Bruce had to leave before the visit ended.
¶18. Unfortunately, Robert’s health declined rapidly after this visit. Chatham testified that
on his February 11 visit, Robert was essentially comatose. Robert died the following day,
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on February 12, 2012.
¶19. Bruce and Zach filed suit against Daphne in the Harrison County Chancery Court
alleging that the beneficiary change was null and void due to Daphne’s exertion of undue
influence on Robert. Daphne stipulated that she and Robert had a confidential relationship,
but after hearing testimony from multiple witnesses, on October 24, 2018, the chancery court
ruled that Bruce and Zach had not shown by clear and convincing evidence that the
beneficiary change was the result of improper undue influence by Daphne or that Robert
lacked the requisite mental capacity to execute the forms. Bruce and Zach moved for a new
trial, which the chancery court denied on December 12, 2018.
¶20. From the chancery court judgment, Bruce and Zach timely appeal, raising two issues:
(1) whether, given the admitted existence of a confidential relationship and proof of
suspicious circumstances, the court should have placed the burden of proof on Daphne to
show by clear and convincing evidence that the beneficiary change was not the result of her
undue influence, and (2) whether the chancery court erred in admitting testimony from the
deceased’s spiritual advisor, Chatham.
Standard of Review
¶21. “A chancellor’s findings of fact will not be disturbed unless they are manifestly wrong
or clearly erroneous, or unless the chancellor applied an erroneous legal standard.” Stover
v. Davis, 268 So. 3d 559, 563 (¶10) (Miss. 2019). We review questions of law de novo.
Kaye v. Kaye, 270 So. 3d 1023, 1025 (¶8) (Miss. Ct. App. 2018).
Discussion
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¶22. Despite the admitted confidential relationship between Daphne and Robert, we agree
with the chancery court that the burden of proof was on Bruce and Zach to present sufficient
proof that Daphne misused that confidential relationship to influence Robert to change the
beneficiaries of his investment accounts. We find no abuse of the chancery court’s discretion
in finding that Bruce and Zach failed to present such proof. Moreover, Chatham’s testimony
concerning Robert’s mental abilities to speak and interact on the day Robert executed the
change of beneficiaries was not precluded by the priest-penitent exclusion in Mississippi
Rule of Evidence 505. Accordingly we affirm the judgment of the chancery court.
I. The court correctly placed the burden of proving undue
influence on Bruce and Zach.
¶23. An instrument “is said to be the product of undue influence when an adviser has been
so importunate as to subdue [another’s] will and free agency.” In re Estate of Rogers, 270
So. 3d 1, 12 (¶38) (Miss. Ct. App. 2018). “The influence must have been so overwhelming
that the resulting instrument reflected the will of the adviser rather than the [other person].”
Id. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as advice, arguments, or persuasion.
Id. It is well established that the mere fact that the parties were married does not, by itself,
prove or even raise the presumption of undue influence:
It is undoubtedly true that a husband or a wife may exercise undue influence
upon the other spouse. However, a confidential relationship between spouses
does not create a presumption that one spouse used undue influence over the
other to obtain an inter vivos gift. Rather, it is the contestant’s burden to show
that the surviving spouse used undue influence. With regard to both
testamentary and inter vivos gifts, undue influence will be found where a
spouse has used undue methods for the purpose of overcoming the free and
unrestrained will of the other spouse, so as to control his or her acts and to
prevent him or her from being a free agent.
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Estate of Langston v. Langston, 141 So. 3d 28, 31 (¶9) (Miss. Ct. App. 2014) (citations and
quotation marks omitted). In that case, Patricia and Mansfield Langston were married for
approximately eleven years prior to Patricia’s death in 2005. Id. at 30 (¶2). Three years
prior, Patricia executed a warranty deed, conveying the home to herself and Mansfield as
joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Id. at (¶3). A year later, in 2003, Patricia and
Mansfield executed a $200,000 certificate of deposit as joint tenants with rights of
survivorship. Id. Upon her death, Patricia’s mother, Ethel Williams, became the executrix
of her estate and sought to set aside these joint tenancies, claiming undue influence by
Mansfield. Id. at (¶4). Williams argued that Patricia’s weak physical and mental state made
her susceptible to Mansfield’s influence. Id. at 31 (¶10). But the proof showed that, despite
her health issues, Patricia was mentally sharp and capable of making independent decisions.
Id. Williams then argued that Patricia’s secretiveness was proof of undue influence, saying
that Patricia normally discussed banking matters with her and the bank issuing the certificate
of deposit was Mansfield’s, not Patricia’s normal bank. Id. at 32 (¶11). But the bank
employee who assisted them testified that Patricia was clear and lucid and did not appear to
be fearful. Id. The attorney who prepared the warranty deed testified and said that Patricia
had initiated the change and was intelligent, articulate, and understanding in business. Id.at (¶12). Even in light of testimony that Patricia may have been a victim of domestic abuse,
no connection was made between this and the execution of the joint tenancies. Id. at 33(¶15). Given this proof, we affirmed the chancery court’s ruling that Williams had failed to
prove undue influence. Id. at (¶17).
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¶24. In Genna v. Herrington, 254 So. 2d 525, 528 (Miss. 1971), the supreme court held that
“it is undoubtedly true that a husband or a wife may exercise undue influence upon the other
spouse, but the mere fact that there is a close relationship between the parties in a marriage
does not mean that one’s influence upon another is undue influence.” Just because a loyal,
loving wife obtains the love and trust of her husband, that is no basis to set aside his will in
her favor. Id. 528-29.3
¶25. It is clear that in this case the chancery court was correct in not shifting the burden of
proof to Daphne. First, there was no evidence that Robert had been medically diagnosed
with any mental deterioration. His last two medical records show that he was alert and
oriented and capable of understanding what the medical doctors told him. No medical doctor
testified to the contrary. Moreover, from the observations of disinterested parties, Larry
Henderson, Cathy Wood, and Victor Chatham, on February 7 and 8, his mind was as sharp
as usual. He understood and participated in conversations. Second, the testimony is clear
that Robert initiated the changes in his beneficiaries, not Daphne. He called Cathy Wood on
January 10, 2011, to discuss his retirement; Milner testified that he would not have changed
the beneficiaries without speaking directly to Robert and getting authorization. That Daphne
“participated” in having the papers executed does not present any proof of participation in
3
Bruce and Zach cite Stover v. Davis, 268 So. 3d 559 (Miss. 2019), contending that
under Stover there were suspicious circumstances that warranted a shifting of the burden of
proof. Id. at 551 (¶2). It is noted that it would have been impossible for the chancery court
here to have dealt with a case that had not yet been decided. Importantly, however, Stover
would not change the outcome. Stover did not disturb the holdings of Genna v. Herrington
and Estate of Langston v. Langston that there is no presumption of undue influence as to
spousal gifts or bequests. The law has always required proof of undue influence with or
without the benefit of a presumption.
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suggesting that the beneficiaries be changed. Moreover, the papers were not signed by
Robert in secrecy; Bruce was present and failed to be concerned about his father’s capacity
to sign the papers or care to know what was in them. Thus, there is no factual basis to
support a finding of suspicious circumstances that would have required a shifting of the
burden of proof in this case. Sufficient evidence supported the chancery court’s conclusion
that Bruce and Zach had failed to prove Daphne’s undue influence.
¶26. Bruce and Zach repeatedly argue that Robert and Daphne’s “short term marriage”
constitutes some proof of undue influence. However, even though the marriage was short,
the relationship between Robert and Daphne dates back to 2004 when they started dating.
Every family member who testified said that Robert loved Daphne and that she loved him.
She admitted that they had the “confidential relationship” that husbands and wives should
have. But “a confidential relationship between spouses does not create a presumption that
one spouse used undue influence over the other. . . .” Estate of Langston, 141 So. 3d at 30(¶9). “[I]t must be shown that the devisee spouse used undue methods for the purpose of
overcoming the free and unrestrained will of the testator so as to control his acts and to
prevent him from being a free agent.” Estate of Langston v. Williams, 57 So. 3d 618, 621
(¶10) (Miss. 2011). All witnesses—family and friends—testified that Robert was a strong-
willed, determined individual who was not easily swayed when he made up his mind. There
was no testimony of any instances where Daphne had forced or manipulated Robert to do
something he did not want to do.
¶27. The chancery court here considered the testimony regarding physical evidence and of
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several disinterested witnesses—a practice we approved in Kaye, 270 So. 3d at 1026 (¶11).
It was amply proven from independent, un-biased witnesses that Robert was mentally sound,
although physically weak, on the day he signed the paperwork changing the beneficiaries.
There was no clear and convincing evidence that Robert’s decision was due to undue
influence exerted by Daphne.
¶28. Accordingly, we find no manifest error by the chancery court in its findings of fact
or errors in its conclusions of law concerning who bore the burden of proof and whether that
burden was met.
II. Chatham’s testimony was admissible.
¶29. Bruce and Zach claim that the chancery court erred in allowing Chatham to testify.
We disagree. Private and confidential communications with clergy may be excluded as
evidence by a person with standing to raise such a privilege. M.R.E. 505. Here, Bruce and
Zach did not have standing to raise the privilege. M.R.E. 505(c). Moreover, Chatham did
not testify to his “communications with Robert,” but rather about Chatham’s observations
of Robert during Chatham’s interaction with Robert. See M.R.E. 505(a)(2), (b). Moreover,
Mississippi Rule of Evidence 505 does not apply unless a communication is made “to a
clergyman in his professional character as spiritual advisor.” Roman Catholic Diocese of
Jackson v. Morrison, 905 So. 2d 1213, 1245 (¶116) (Miss. 2005) (quoting M.R.E. 505(b)).
¶30. In this case, Chatham did not testify to “communications” with Robert; Chatham
merely described his observations of Robert’s speech and abilities during their visits.
Moreover, this contest to the beneficiary change was brought by Bruce and Zach
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individually—not on behalf of Robert’s estate or as Robert’s personal representative.
Therefore, neither son has standing to object to any of Chatham’s testimony, even
communications with Robert. Accordingly, Chatham’s testimony was admissible.
Conclusion
¶31. Because the chancery court properly placed the burden of proof on Bruce and Zach
to set aside Robert’s change of beneficiaries, which they failed to meet, we find no error by
the chancery court. Moreover, Chatham’s testimony was not barred by Rule 505.
Accordingly, we affirm.
¶32. AFFIRMED.
CARLTON, P.J., GREENLEE, WESTBROOKS, TINDELL, LAWRENCE,
McCARTY AND C. WILSON, JJ., CONCUR. BARNES, C.J., AND J. WILSON, P.J.,
CONCUR IN PART AND IN THE RESULT WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN
OPINION.
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