Emily Christine Wimley v. Emily Annette Wimley and Jerry Lee Wilmley and The First National Bank of Manchester Tennessee

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
June 11, 2009 Session
EMILY CHRISTINE WIMLEY v. EMILY ANNETTE WIMLEY AND
JERRY LEE WIMLEY AND THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Coffee County
No. 35995 L. Craig Johnson, Judge
No. M2008-01358-COA-R3-CV - Filed August 21, 2009
This case involves the validity of transfers of property and money from a mother to her daughter and
son-in-law. The trial court determined that there was a confidential relationship between the mother
and her daughter and that the defendants failed to overcome the presumption of undue influence.
We affirm the trial court in all respects.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed
ANDY D. BENNETT , J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which PATRICIA J. COTTRELL, P.J., M.S.,
and RICHARD H. DINKINS, J., joined.
James H. Threet, III, Manchester, Tennessee, for the appellants, Emily Annette Wimley and Jerry
Lee Wimley.
John Stanley Rogers and Christina Duncan, Manchester, Tennessee, for the appellee, Emily Christine
Wimley.
OPINION
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Emily Christine Wimley (“Christine”) is the mother of Emily Annette Wimley (“Emily”).1
Emily is married to Jerry Lee Wimley (“Jerry”).2 Christine had bariatric surgery in March 2002;
after the surgery, she experienced extensive complications that required her to be hospitalized for
about nine months. Christine filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in February 2003.
1
To avoid confusion, we will refer to the parties by their first names.
2
Although he shares the same last name as Christine and Emily, Jerry is not a blood relative.
Christine began outpatient psychiatric treatment in April 2004 following a hospitalization
for a major depressive disorder with psychotic features. In September 2004, Christine’s outpatient
clinician gave a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, most recent episode mixed, severe with psychotic
features. In January 2005, Christine was hospitalized with suicidality.
Christine moved in with Emily and Jerry in January 2005 and lived with them in their home
until July 2007. During the time when Christine lived with them, Emily and Jerry received regular
income only from her job at WalMart and his job at Batesville Casket Company.
Christine settled her medical malpractice lawsuit for a large sum of money in February 2005.
Christine’s attorney, Stanley Rogers, disbursed part of the settlement proceeds to her on March 21,
2005. Emily accompanied her mother to Mr. Rogers’s office, where Christine received a check in
the amount of $69,685.63. Christine and Emily then proceeded to People’s Bank and Trust
Company to negotiate the check. Christine received cash in the amount of $9,685.63 and a cashier’s
check in the amount of $60,000.00. Christine deposited the $60,000.00 in her account at the First
National Bank in McMinnville.
On March 25, 2005, Emily took Christine to the office of attorney Mark Williams. Christine
executed a quit claim deed conveying her house and property on Sherwood Drive in McMinnville
to Emily with reservation of a life estate. The deed was witnessed by a notary public.
On April 1, 2005, Christine returned to attorney Rogers’s office. That day, she signed a
general durable power of attorney, a will, a living will, and a durable power of attorney for health
care. The general durable power of attorney named Emily as Christine’s attorney in fact, as did the
health care power of attorney. Under the terms of the will, Christine left her property equally to her
three children: Emily and her two brothers, William Russell Smartt and Gregory Ross Smartt.
A portion of the malpractice settlement proceeds was structured as an annuity, which would
pay Christine $1,162.66 a month for life, guaranteed for 20 years. The annuity payments began in
April 2005. Christine also received Social Security payments of $545.01 per month and retirement
benefits of $109.25 per month. Thus, Christine received direct deposits totalling $1,816.93 a month
into her account at First National Bank of McMinnville.
On October 3, 2005, Christine was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment; she was diagnosed
with major depressive disorder, recurrent; history of sedative abuse; and history of prescription
narcotic abuse. On October 13, 2005, attorney Rogers made another settlement disbursement to
Christine, this time in the amount of $58,262.59. Emily again accompanied Christine to Mr.
Rogers’s office. The entire check was deposited into Christine’s account at First National Bank of
McMinnville. While hospitalized in November 2005 for complaints of epigastric pain, Christine was
noted to be experiencing major problems with depression. On November 30, 2005, Christine was
seen in the emergency room with depression and was given additional medication.
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On December 6, 2005, Christine went in the First National Bank of McMinnville and
withdrew $96,486.68 from her account in the form of a cashier’s check. The money was deposited
into Emily and Jerry’s joint savings account at the First National Bank in Manchester. On December
16, 2005, Christine transferred the title to her car, a 2005 Chrysler, to Emily.
In August 2006, Emily conveyed the Sherwood Drive property she had received from
Christine in March 2005 to Dorothy Herrin, and Christine signed the warranty deed to convey her
life estate interest. Emily deposited the entire proceeds from the sale, $80,370.84, into a joint
account with her husband at the Ascend Federal Credit Union. On July 12, 2007,3 Emily and Jerry
deposited $59,179.56 in cash and $81,954.69 in the form of a cashier’s check from Ascend into their
account at First National Bank of Manchester; that same day, they paid off the mortgage on their
home in the amount of $22,775.13.
During the period from 2005 through July 2007, Emily and Jerry made the following
purchases:
• Purchase of a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck for approximately $27,000 to
$28,000
• Purchase of a Suntracker pontoon boat for $23,067.05
• Purchase of a lawn mower with a check for $8,274.36
• Purchase of 2007 Honda motorcycle and then payment in full of debt with
check for $28,499.79
• Purchase of a used 1995 Fleetwood camper for $4,382.25 with title and fees
In May 2007, Christine was hospitalized for depression; a psychiatric evaluation also noted
polysubstance abuse. Christine was hospitalized in June 2007 with physical and mental problems.
A psychiatric evaluation yielded a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, with notations that Christine had
a history of schizophrenia and that dementia should be ruled out. Christine was hospitalized again
in late June and July 2007. A neuropsychological evaluation includes the following
recommendation: “Mrs. Wimley’s impulsivity and relative difficulty on tasks that require higher
order reasoning may make independent decision making difficult for her. It will be helpful to have
a trusted advisor such as a close relative provide structure, support, and assistance in such matters.”
When she was released from the hospital on July 12, 2007, Christine did not return to live with
Emily and Jerry.
On July 18, 2007, Christine filed this lawsuit against Emily, Jerry, and the First National
Bank in Manchester. She also revoked the durable power of attorney she had given to Emily. In her
3
Christine was in the hospital for psychiatric treatment on July 12, 2007.
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complaint, Christine alleged the Emily and Jerry had perpetrated “fraud, embezzlement and
misappropriation of funds.” She requested and obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent
Emily and Jerry from accessing or withdrawing funds from their accounts or “removing, selling,
mortgaging, encumbering or in any manner dissipating any real or personal properties” owned by
or titled to them. The bank was ordered to freeze all accounts owned individually or jointly by Emily
or Jerry.
In January 2008, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion to amend the complaint to add a
paragraph to include the transactions in March 2005 and August 2006 by which the Sherwood Drive
property was conveyed to Emily with reservation of a life estate for Christine and then sold to a third
party.
THE HEARING
This case was heard over two days in May and June 2008. At the beginning of the trial,
counsel for the defendants noted that the complaint did not raise the issue of competence.
Emily Wimley testified that Christine wanted Emily to have the Sherwood Drive house and
told Emily to get an attorney to draw up the papers; Emily chose to go to Mark Williams. Emily also
testified that her mother wanted her to sell the Sherwood Drive house, including Christine’s life
estate interest, to Dorothy Herrin. According to Emily, Christine gave her all the proceeds from the
sale of the house.
Emily testified that, after the power of attorney was executed in April 2005, she used the
power of attorney on occasion to take care of her mother’s financial affairs. Emily later testified that,
even before Christine executed the durable power of attorney, Emily signed Christine’s name on
checks in order to pay her bills when she was sick. Emily did not, however, use the power of
attorney to make any of the conveyances or transfers of money at issue in this case. According to
Emily, Christine voluntarily signed her own name to all of the required documents.
Emily stated that Christine gave Emily her car, a 2005 Chrysler, as well as $96,000 and the
money to pay off Emily’s and Jerry’s mortgage. Emily admitted that, when Christine was released
from the hospital in July 2007, she was essentially destitute, with no house, no car, and no available
cash until the next direct deposits in August 2007. Emily stated that it was Christine’s choice to give
all of her possessions to Emily and that all of the conveyances and gifts in question were her
mother’s idea. She also said that Christine wanted her to quit her job at Wal-Mart.
Asked about her mother’s mental problems, Emily stated that her mother was bipolar but that
no one had ever said she was incompetent to conduct her own affairs. The defendants introduced
into evidence four audio tapes and transcripts of telephone conversations between Emily and
Christine concerning some of the transactions at issue.
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The plaintiff introduced a collective exhibit of medical records to which the parties had
previously stipulated, including records concerning Christine’s outpatient and inpatient psychiatric
treatment, as well as a summary of the medical records. The defendants did not object to the
introduction of the stipulated records or the summary. At the plaintiff’s request, the court further
admitted the deposition for proof of Dr. Albert Brandon, Christine’s family care physician since
November 2005, who opined that “she did not have the capacity to make those decisions that were
in her best interest” during the time she was treated at his clinic.
Christine Wimley testified that, while she was living with Emily and Jerry, Emily paid all
of the household bills out of Christine’s bank account at First National Bank of McMinnville. When
asked whether she intended to make herself destitute by giving everything to Emily, Christine
testified:
No, sir. I don’t recall signing the car to her. I don’t recall signing the house to her.
I gave her a necklace and a ring, and the rest of the jewelry was supposed to be mine.
I did not give her the monies for their benefit. I asked her to take care of the money
on my–for my behalf, on my behalf. I told her to buy the groceries and to pay what
bills that she had paid. And I gave her the $22,000 to pay off her pickup truck, and
that was all that I gave her.
According to Christine, Emily and Jerry lied to her: “They paid cash for all those items they bought,
and they told me–she told me they was making payments on them. And they had taken my
money–took my money and paid for them.”
The defense introduced the deposition of Dr. David Florence for proof. Dr. Florence testified
about his experience assessing inmates with mental health problems and as a consultant for a drug
rehab and mental health service company. He reviewed the records concerning Christine Wimley
and opined that she “had the capacity to conduct her own affairs.”
Jerry Wimley, Emily’s husband and Christine’s son-in-law, testified that Christine told him
that she wanted Emily to have Christine’s property, quit her job, and take care of Christine. He
stated that Christine told him multiple times that she wanted to sell the house on Sherwood Drive.
Jerry stated that he and Emily used some of the money she got from her mother to pay off the
pontoon boat, to buy a motorcycle and lawnmower, and to pay off the mortgage on their house.
The defense called various witnesses to testify about their involvement in the transactions
at issue. Elizabeth McKenzie, county clerk, testified about the documents maintained by her office
evidencing Christine Wimley’s transfer of the 2005 Chrysler to Emily Wimley as a gift. Ms.
McKenzie did not witness Christine signing the title. Edward North, an attorney who was working
as a clerk at Mr. Rogers’s office at the time of the execution of Christine’s will, durable power of
attorney, and other documents, testified that he acted as a witness to the execution of the documents
and did not have any basis for questioning Christine’s capacity to execute them. Susan Prince, a title
company employee and notary public who participated in the closing on the sale of the Sherwood
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Drive house, likewise did not have any reason to question Christine’s ability to understand what she
was doing. Belinda Phillips, an employee at the First National Bank in Manchester, deposited the
check for $96,486.68 drawn on the First National Bank in McMinnville into Emily and Jerry’s
account. The check was endorsed by Christine and Emily. Ms. Phillips did not see Christine on the
day of the deposit. Melody Hawkins, an employee of First National Bank in McMinnville, testified
that she handled the December 6, 2005 transaction in which Christine closed out her savings account,
withdrawing some $96,000. Ms. Hawkins saw Christine sign the necessary document and thought
she appeared to know what she was doing. When Ms. Hawkins questioned Christine as to whether
the bank had done anything to upset her, Christine replied that the bank had always been nice to her
but she just wanted to close out the account. Sherry Burdette, a former employee at Mr. Rogers’s
law firm and a notary public, acted as a witness to Christine’s signing of documents on April 1,
2005. She believed Christine was of sound mind and aware of what she was doing that day.
Dawn Wimley, Emily’s daughter and Christine’s granddaughter, also testified. Dawn stated
that Christine had told her that she wanted Emily to have the disputed property “because of
everything [Emily] was doing for her.” Christine also told Dawn that she wanted Emily to have the
proceeds from the sale of the Sherwood Drive property. Dawn testified that Christine did not want
Emily to work; Christine wanted Emily to stay home with her. Dawn believed that her grandmother
was coherent and lucid and knew what she was doing. Christine told Dawn a number of times that
she gave everything to Emily. She gave Emily her car because Emily took her everywhere and
Christine did not want to drive.
At the end of the first day of the trial, the court had a discussion with the lawyers concerning
caselaw on the applicable burden of proof. Plaintiff’s counsel offered the court a case dealing with
undue influence and confidential relationships. Defense counsel asked whether the court wanted the
parties to submit briefs regarding confidential relationships. The court stated: “We’ve got a situation
here where you’ve got a confidential relationship which creates a presumption of undue influence
which shifts the burden to you, Mr. Threet [defense counsel].”
On the second day of trial, the defense called Susan Wilson, an employee with Mr.
Williams’s law firm and a notary public, who witnessed Christine’s signature on the deed
transferring her house to Emily. She did not recall anything suspicious or questionable about
Christine’s conduct or demeanor.
Lisa Foster, an employee at Mr. Rogers’s law firm and notary public, testified that she
notarized Christine’s signature on the will, durable power of attorney, and living will. Christine
appeared to be coherent and seemed to understand what was going on. Ms. Foster also notarized
Christine’s signature on the complaint in this case. Ms. Foster stated that she had no reason to doubt
that Christine knew what she was signing. Ms. Foster was also present when Mr. Rogers made the
two large settlement disbursements to Christine; she stated that Christine appeared lucid. During
the course of the malpractice litigation and the present litigation, Ms. Foster had fairly frequent
contact with Christine, who participated in preparing for depositions and interrogatory answers and
appeared lucid.
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The defense also called attorney Stanley Rogers to testify about his relationship with
Christine as her attorney over the years. Mr. Rogers testified that his interaction with Christine had
never caused him to question her competence.
William Smartt, Christine’s first husband, testified that he had a conversation with Christine
after she received her settlement. He wanted to borrow money from her. According to Mr. Smartt,
Christine told him that she had given everything to Emily.
The defense recalled Emily as a witness at the end of the trial. She testified that, sometime
prior to Christine deeding the house to her, she heard her mother tell her brother, Ross Smartt, that
she would give the Sherwood Drive house to him and his wife if she could move in with them and
they would take care of her.
At the end of the proof, the plaintiff moved to amend the complaint to conform to the
evidence by adding a paragraph asserting that Emily and Jerry “exerted undue influence” over
Christine and that Christine “lacked the capacity to make the transactions referred to above.” After
hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion.
TRIAL COURT ’S DECISION
In its order entered on June 30, 2008, the court incorporated the following findings from its
ruling from the bench:
The Court finds by proof in the case that a confidential and fiduciary
relationship existed between at least one of the defendants, that being Emily
Wimley–she was the dominant party in the relationship–over Christine Wimley, the
plaintiff, which creates a presumption of undue influence in this case. . . . This is
really about whether or not this gift was a result of undue influence or whether it was
the free, uncoerced will of the plaintiff making that decision.
The Court . . . believes that Ms. Christine Wimley, due to her frailty and age
and mental I’m going to say problems–manic depressive, bipolar, severe
depressions–was infirmed [sic] and had lesser capacity to make decisions based
entirely on her free will at the time of these transactions in question.
I find that the defendant has not overcome that presumption by showing clear
and convincing evidence of the fairness or otherwise that these gifts were given by
. . . Ms. Christine Wimley’s free, uncoerced will except for I find that based on the
testimony of Ms. Christine Wimley that as to some things [the defendants] have
overcome that presumption. There is a necklace and a ring. . . . I also find that
you’ve overcome the presumption in regards to the $22,000 to pay the pickup truck.
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The court also found that Christine intended to give Emily “enough money to pay the monthly bills,”
which the court determined to be $1,000 per month.
Based upon these findings, the trial court entered judgment in the amount of $209,193.10
against Emily and Jerry Wimley.4 The First National Bank of Manchester was ordered to pay funds
on deposit in the amount of $18,399.35 to the court clerk to be used to help satisfy the judgment.
The court further ordered attached and seized the Honda motorcycle, the Fleetwood camper, the
pontoon boat, and the lawn mower; the court clerk was to sell these items and pay the proceeds to
Christine Wimley. Furthermore, Emily was ordered to deliver and transfer title to the 2005 Chrysler
to Christine; the fair market value of the car, $15,387.50, was to be credited against the judgment.
The court denied the defendants’ motion for a new trial.
ISSUES ON APPEAL
Emily and Jerry Wimley argue on appeal that the trial court erred in allowing the plaintiff to
amend the complaint to conform to the proof. They further assert that the trial court erred in finding
a confidential relationship, in finding undue influence, and in finding that the defendants did not
overcome the presumption of undue influence by clear and convincing evidence.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review a trial court’s findings of fact with a presumption of correctness and will not
overturn those findings unless the evidence preponderates against them. Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d);
Bogan v. Bogan, 60 S.W.3d 721, 727 (Tenn. 2001). With respect to findings of fact that require the
trial court to resolve conflicts in the evidence and determine the weight to be given the testimony of
witnesses, we give great weight to the trial court’s findings. Waller v. Evans, No. M2008-00312-
COA-R3-CV, 2009 WL 723519, *2 (Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 17, 2009). The trial court is in the best
position to assess the credibility of witnesses. Id. We review a trial court’s conclusions of law de
novo with no presumption of correctness. Union Carbide Corp. v. Huddleston, 854 S.W.2d 87, 91
(Tenn. 1993).
A trial court’s decision to allow the amendment of pleadings is reviewed under an abuse of
discretion standard. Riley v. Whybrew, 185 S.W.3d 393, 399 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). There has been
an abuse of discretion “when the trial court reaches a decision against logic that causes a harm to the
complaining party or when the trial court applies an incorrect legal standard.” Id. The trial court’s
decision will be upheld “so long as reasonable minds can disagree as to the propriety of the [trial
court’s] decision.” Id. (quoting State v. Scott, 33 S.W.3d 746, 751 (Tenn. 2000)).
ANALYSIS
4
The $209,193.10 figure represents the $259,193.10 that flowed through Christine’s account during the 28
months she lived with Emily and Jerry minus $28,000 for living expenses and $22,000 for paying off the loan on their
pick-up truck.
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1.
Tenn. R. Civ. P. 15.02 governs amendments to conform to the evidence:
When issues not raised by the pleadings are tried by express or implied consent of the
parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.
Such amendment of the pleadings as may be necessary to cause them to conform to
the evidence and to raise these issues may be made upon motion of any party at any
time, even after judgment; but failure so to amend does not affect the result of the
trial of these issues. . . . If evidence is objected to at the trial on the ground that it is
not within the issues made by the pleadings, the court may allow the pleadings to be
amended and shall do so freely when the presentation of the merits of the action will
be subserved thereby and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the
admission of such evidence would prejudice that party in maintaining the action or
defense upon the merits. The court may grant a continuance to enable the objecting
party to meet such evidence.
In this case, the trial court had previously granted the defendants a continuance to take the deposition
of Dr. Florence regarding lack of capacity. Although defense counsel noted at the beginning of the
trial that the complaint did not allege undue influence, at the end of the first day, both attorneys
mentioned their research on caselaw with respect to undue influence, and the trial court clearly stated
its understanding that the case hinged on the existence of a confidential relationship and undue
influence.
At the end of the trial, defense counsel objected to the plaintiff’s motion to amend the
pleadings. Defense counsel emphasized its right to have notice of the issues being tried, but the trial
court noted the previous continuance to allow the defense to take Dr. Florence’s deposition. The
court asked defense counsel, “what prejudice is there at this point since we continued it the first time
to give you a chance to rebut a new theory that you knew at that time?” The defendants did not
assert any prejudice or request another continuance to respond to the plaintiff’s evidence.
Under the circumstances, we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in granting
the plaintiff’s motion to amend the complaint. The issue of undue influence was tried by consent
of the parties, and there was no prejudice to the defendants here.
2.
Under well-settled Tennessee law, “the existence of a confidential or fiduciary relationship,
together with a transaction by which the dominant party obtains a benefit from the other party, gives
rise to a presumption of undue influence that may be rebutted.” Matlock v. Simpson, 902 S.W.2d
384, 385 (Tenn. 1995) (emphasis in original). Whether a confidential relationship existed is a
question of fact. Smith v. Smith, 102 S.W.3d 648, 652 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2002). A confidential
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relationship is defined as a relationship “which gives the dominant party dominion and control over
the weaker party.” Id. at 653.
A fiduciary relationship, such as that between attorney and client or guardian and ward,
automatically constitutes a confidential relationship. Mitchell v. Smith, 779 S.W.2d 384, 389 (Tenn.
Ct. App. 1989). The relationship between a parent and an adult does not, by itself, create a
confidential relationship. Smith, 102 S.W.3d at 653; Mitchell, 779 S.W.2d at 389. There must also
be evidence of dominion and control. Basham v. Duffer, 238 S.W.3d 304, 311 (Tenn. Ct. App.
2007); In re Estate of Brevard, 213 S.W.3d 298, 303 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006). However, “a
confidential relationship arises as a matter of law when an unrestricted power of attorney is granted
to the dominant party.” Childress v. Currie, 74 S.W.3d 324, 328 (Tenn. 2002); Smith, 102 S.W.3d
at 653.
The defendants argue that the trial court erred in finding that a confidential relationship arose
on the basis of a power of attorney that was never exercised. They rely on the rule that “[n]o
confidential relationship arises when an unrestricted power of attorney is executed but has not yet
been exercised.” Parish v. Kemp, 179 S.W.3d 524, 531 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005) (citing Childress, 74
S.W.3d at 329). There are several problems with the defendants’ argument. Emily testified that she
signed her mother’s name to checks before and after execution of the power of attorney. The fact,
cited by the defendants, that Emily did not sign her own name as attorney-in-fact does not mean she
was not acting as her mother’s attorney-in-fact. Emily also admitted during her testimony that she
exercised the power of attorney, although not for the transactions at issue in this case. This court has
previously acknowledged that a confidential relationship might arise based upon a power of attorney
that was exercised but not used for the disputed transactions. See id., 179 S.W.3d at 532.
We need not, however, resolve the issues presented by the defendants’ power of attorney
argument because the trial court based its finding of a confidential relationship upon multiple factors,
not just on the existence of a power of attorney. In ruling from the bench, the court made the
following statements:
There’s no doubt in my mind that a confidential and/or a fiduciary relationship
existed between [Emily Wimley] and Ms. [Christine] Wimley. There’s a power of
attorney. There’s a dependence upon them for her lifeblood, house to live in,
basically turned everything over to her at some point in time for her to take care of
her. So in my opinion you have a fiduciary relationship, confidential relationship
established here.
....
So that’s what I meant when I said earlier I think it’s clear that a confidential and
fiduciary relationship was established. Whether it’s the power of attorney, whether
it’s the fact that she depended upon them and turned all her money over to them to
handle her affairs, the fact that she lived with them, the fact that she depended upon
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them to get her around, you know, she gave cars to . . . all that creates that
confidential–you’ve got a dominant party in this case.
Thus, the trial court considered all of the circumstances, not just the existence of the power of
attorney, in finding a confidential relationship between Emily and Christine.
We give great deference to the trial court’s finding of fact concerning the existence of a
confidential relationship. Smith, 102 S.W.3d at 651. The evidence does not preponderate against
the trial court’s finding that a confidential relationship existed.
A confidential relationship coupled with “a transaction by which the dominant party obtains
a benefit from the other party” creates a presumption of undue influence. Matlock, 902 S.W.2d at
385. Since Emily had a confidential relationship with Christine and received a benefit from the
transactions at issue, there is a presumption of undue influence. This presumption may be rebutted
only by “clear and convincing evidence of the fairness of the transaction.” Id. at 386. The burden
of proof shifts to the dominant party to show that the transaction was fair and was not a result of
undue influence. Thompson v. Thompson, No. W2008-00489-COA-R3-CV, 2009 WL 637289, *10
(Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 12, 2009). The determination as to whether the dominant party exerted undue
influence is a question of fact. Waller, 2009 WL 723519, at *9.
What kind of proof is required to rebut the presumption of undue influence? The weaker
party’s receipt of independent legal advice is one way of showing fairness. Richmond v. Christian,
555 S.W.2d 105, 107-08 (Tenn. 1977). In fact, proof of independent legal advice may be required
in certain cases.5 Id. at 108. Otherwise, the court is to consider all of the evidence and apply “sound
principles and good sense” in determining whether the transaction was fair. Childress, 74 S.W.3d
at 329; see also Waller, 2009 WL 723519, at *9. In cases in which a presumption of undue influence
arises from the existence of a confidential relationship, a court may consider “a lack of suspicious
circumstances as evidence to rebut an automatic legal presumption of undue influence.” Parish v.
Kemp, No. W2007-02207-COA-R3-CV, 2008 WL 5191291, *6 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 11, 2008)
(perm. app. denied June 15, 2009). In the context of wills, the courts recognize that suspicious
circumstances of undue influence may include the following:
(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; (4) secrecy concerning the will’s existence;
5
In Richmond, the court noted:
Independent advice is ordinarily required where it is a reasonable requirement and where the
circumstances are such that it would be difficult to show the fairness of the transaction without proof
of independent advice, particularly, where the donor is impoverished by the gift in question or the gift
seems to be unnatural under the circumstances of the case.
Richmond, 555 S.W .2d at 108.
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(5) the testator’s advanced age; (6) the lack of independent advice in preparing the
will; (7) the testator’s illiteracy or blindness; (8) the unjust or unnatural nature of the
will’s terms; (9) the testator being in an emotionally distraught state; (10)
discrepancies between the will and the testator’s expressed intentions; and (11) fraud
or duress directed toward the testator.
Id. (citing Kelley v. Johns, 96 S.W.3d 189, 196 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2002)).
In this case, the defendants argue that Christine was capable and aware of what she was doing
in making the disputed transfers to Emily. They point to Christine’s ability to initiate and participate
in the malpractice lawsuit and the present lawsuit as well as the multiple witnesses who saw no
indication that she was impaired when she executed her will and durable power of attorney, when
she withdrew money from her account, and when she signed the deeds to transfer real property.
Further, the defendants cite testimony and recorded telephone conversations in support of their
contention that Christine intended to give the property and money to her daughter. The trial court,
however, placed great significance upon the evidence of Christine’s diminished capacity to make
decisions “of her free will” by virtue of her mental impairments, frailty, and age. Earlier in the
hearing, the court also pointed out that the transactions at issue, by which Emily received all of her
mother’s estate with the exception of the future direct deposits, contradicted the intention she
expressed in her will of dividing her estate equally among her three children.
The trial court’s finding that the defendants did not rebut the presumption of undue influence
by clear and convincing evidence required the trial court to weigh conflicting evidence and witness
credibility, assessments for which we give great deference to the trial court. We cannot say that the
evidence preponderates against the trial court’s finding.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the trial court’s decision. Costs of this appeal are assessed against the appellants,
for which execution may issue if necessary.
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ANDY D. BENNETT, JUDGE
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