in the Estate of J. B. Pilkilton

AFFIRM; Opinion issued February 6, 2O13
In The
tnirt nf pia1
Fift1! 3itrirt uf Lixa at Ja11a
No. 05-I 1-00246-CV
IN THE MATTER oF THE ESTATE OF j. IL PILKILTON, DECEASED
On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 1
Grayson County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No 2009-1-166P
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices O’Neill, FitzGerald, and Lang-Miers
Opinion By Justice Lang-Miers
This appeal involves a will contest concerning the estate of J. B. Pilkilton (Pilkihon). The
appellants are Catherine C. Pilkilton, Fred Pilkilton, Jr., and Roger Pilkilton. the family of Pilkihon’ s
brother who predeceased him, Appellees Cynthia Marie Smith and Jeffery Allen Pilkilton are
Pilkilton’s grandchildren. Appellants contested a will executed by Pilkilton dated February 11,2007
and were proponents of a will executed by Pilkilton dated May 8, 2006. In four issues, Appellants
argue that the trial court erred by finding that the 2007 will was executed with the requisite
formalities, that Pilkilton had testamentary capacity at the time he executed the 2007 will, that it was
not collaterally estopped from determining whether Pilkilton had testamentary capacity, and that
Appellees did not exercise undue influence. Because all dispositive issues are settled in law, we
issue this memorandum opinion. TEx. R. App. P. 47.2(a), 47.4. We affirm.
ICK(ROt’I
Pilkilton (lied in 2009. A week after Pilkilton’s death, Pilkilton’s sisterimlaw Catherine C.
Pilkilton filed an application for probate ot a selLproved 2006 will and for issuance of letters
testamentary. The residuary beneficiary of the 2006 will was Fred Pilkihon, Sr., Pilkilton’s brother
and Catherine’s husband. \‘Vhen her husband, Fred, Sr., died in February 2007. Catherine became
the residuary beneficiary. The 2006 will named Roger and Fred Pilkilton, Jr., Catherine and Fred
Pilkilton, Sr.’s children and Pilkilton’s nephews, as contingent residuary beneficiaries.
Ten days after Catherine filed, Pilkilton’s granddaughter Cynthia Marie Smith filed an
application for probate of a selfproved 2007 will and for issuance of letters testamentary. The
residuary beneficiaries of the 2007 will were Pilkilton’s grandchildren. Smith and Jeffery Allen
Pilkilton. The 2007 will specified that Appellants were not to receive any of Pilkilton’s estate.
Appellants filed a contest to the 2007 will in County Court at Law No. I in Grayson County.
After a bench trial. the court ordered that the 2007 will should be admitted to probate. that
Appellants acted in good faith and with just cause in their efforts to have the 2006 will admitted to
probate, and that Catherine, the designated independent executrix under the 2006 will, be allowed
attorney’s fees and expenses out of Pilkilton’s estate.
The court subsequently issued findings of fact and conclusions of law, including:
1. The proponents of the Last Will and Testament of J. B. Pilkilton dated February
11, 2007, proved that said will was properly executed with all the formalities and
solemnities required by law.
2. J.B. Pilkilton had the necessary testamentary capacity to execute a will on
February 11, 2007, and this court is not collaterally estopped from finding such
capacity by any previous ruling or finding of the Grayson County Court at Law, No.
2, in the guardianship proceeding, to-wit, CN 2007-56G.
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3. The Last Will and Testament of 3. B. Pilkilton dated February II. 2007. should
he admitted to probate.
5. The contestants tailed to prove by a preponderance ot the evidence that at the time
of the execution of the February 11 2007, will, J .13. Pilkilton was unduly influenced
,
by any person which affected the terms of said will.’
Appellants filed a inot ion for new trial, which the court denied. This appeal followed.
STANIMRD OF REVIEW
Appellants argue that there was legally insufficient evidence to support the findings that the
2007 will was properly executed and that Pilkilton had testamentary capacity. They also argue that
there was factually insufficient evidence to establish that the 2007 will was properly executed, that
Pilkilton had testamentary capacity, and that he was not unduly influenced.
We review the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence to support a trial court’s findings
by the same standards we apply when reviewing evidence supporting a jury’s verdict, Catalina v.
Blasdel, 881 S.W.2d 295, 297 (Tex. 1994): Lont i. Long, 196 S.W.3d 460,464 (Tex. App.—Dallas
2006, no pet.). In reviewing a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we consider
evidence that supports the finding if a reasonable fact-finder could have considered it and disregard
contrary evidence unless a reasonable fact-finder could not have disregarded it. See Akin, Guinp.
Straus Hatier & Feid, L.L.P. t’. Nat’l Dcv. & Research Corp., 299 S.W.3d 106, 115 (Tex. 2009)
(citing City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex. 2005)): Wright Grp. Architects-Planners,
P.L.L.C. v. Pierce, 343 S.W.3d 196, 199 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, no pet.). We will sustain a legal
sufficiency challenge “when (a) there is a complete absence of evidence of a vital fact. (b) the court
is barred by rules of law or of evidence from giving weight to the only evidence offered to prove a
Appellants argue on appeal that Appcllees had the burden o establish an absence of undue influence, not that the trial court erred
1
by applying
the incorrect burden of proof.
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‘ ital fact, (c ) the evidence oHered to proe a vital fact is no more than a scintilla, or (d) the evidence
conclusive! establishes the opposite of the vital fact.” Akin, (Jump, 299 S.W.3d at 115 (quoting
Merreli Dow Pharms,, Inc. e. Hciener, 953 S.W.2d 706. 7 Ii (Tex. 1997)). Evidence is no more than
a scintilla if it is “‘so weak as to do no more than create a mere surmise or suspicion’ that the fact
exists.” Id. (quoting lcroger icr. Ltd. P’ship v’. Suberu, 216 S.W.3d 788, 793 (Tex. 2006)).
In reviewing a challenge to the factual sufficiency of the evidence, we consider all of the
evidence in the record, both supporting and contradicting the challenged finding, and will set aside
the finding only if we determine that the evidence supporting the finding is so against the great
weight and preponderance of the evidence as to make the finding clearly wrong and manifestly
unjust. See Orti: r. Jones. 91 7 S.W.2d 770, 772 (Tex. 1996) (per curiam): l’rahhakar i’. J’ritzgerald,
No. 05-l0-00126-CV, 2012 WL 3667400, at *4 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 24, 2012, no pet. h.).
In a bench trial, the trial court is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the
weight to he given their testimony. Wright Grp., 343 S.W.3d at 199. We are not a fact-finder and
may not pass upon the credibility of the witnesses or substitute our judgment for that of the trier of
fact, even if the evidence would support a different result. Id. When the evidence is conflicting, we
must presume that the fact-finder resolved the inconsistency in favor of the finding if a reasonable
person could do so. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 821; Wright Grp., 343 S.W.3d at 199.
PROPER ExEcuTION
In their first issue, Appellants argue that Appellees did not produce legally or factually
sufficient evidence to establish that the “2007 will was executed with the requisite formalitiesl
.1”
Applicable Law
In probate proceedings, it is the court’s duty to determine that the instrument offered for
probate meets the statutory requisites of a will before admitting the will to probate. In re Estate of
-4-
Hudson, No. 05 II 00008CV, 201 1 WI. 5433689, at ‘3 (Tex. App.—Dallas Nov. 10,2011, no pet.)
(mem. op.). The requirements include that two or more credible witnesses must attest to it and
subscribe their names to the will in their own handwriting in the presence of the testator. 5cc TEX.
PIeB. CODE ANN. § 59 (West Supp. 2012). Any changes made in an original, proper1yexecuted will
are ineffective unless the changes were made with the formalities required to make a will. i’ullcn
e. Russ, 209 S.W.2d 63(, 636 (Tex. Civ. App.—Aniarillo 1948, writ ref’d n.r.c.).
One who offers a will with a selfproviiig certificate executed and attached makes out a prima
facie case that the will has been properly executed and may have the will admitted to probate if the
other requirements of section 88 of the probate code are fulfilled. Estate of Hudson, 2011 WL
5433689, at *3; sec TEX. PROB. CODE ANN. § 88 (West 2003) (stating proof required for probate of
a will): In re Estate of Roshorough, 542 S.W.2d 685, 688 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1976, writ
ref’d n.r.c.). The opponent to the probate of the will must put on proof to rebut the proponent’s
prima facie case. Estate of Hudson, 2011 WL 5433689, at *3; Estate of Rosborough, 542 S.W.2d
at 688. The proponent may then chose to stand on the prima facie case or may choose to go forward
with evidence. Estate of Hudson, 2011 WL 5433689, at *3; Estate of Roshorough, 542 S.W.2d at
688.
Appellants’ Position
Appellants argue that the evidence establishes that the attorney who drafted the 2007 will
made changes to the 2007 will to correct a mistake after Pilkilton, the witnesses, and the notary
purportedly signed the will. Appellants claim that, because the 2007 will offered for admission to
probate did not contain any errors, “the only possible conclusion from the evidence presented by the
[Appelleesi was that the pages containing the mistakes were simply and erroneously replaced by the
corrected pages with there being no evidence provided by the [Appelleesi that a re-execution of the
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document ever occurred.” As a result, Appellants argue, Appellees did not establish that the will
ollered lot probate was signed by the witnesses in the presence of the lestator Pilkilton as statutorily
required. nor did they establish the terms of the 2007 will before the changes were made.
Appellees’ Position
Appellees argue that the trial court correctly found that they carried their hurden to prove
proper execution, They argue that the attorney who drafted the will, Michael McGraw, may have
had trouble remembering “the mechanics of how I a mistake got corrected in relation to the signing
ceremony” but McGraw was clear that the changes were made before the will-signing ceremony took
place. They contend that the testimony of all people present at the will-signing ceremony was
consistent and that “no one testified that the signing took place before all changes were made; either
at trial, or in deposition.’
Discussion
En his deposition. McGraw testified that he remembered leaving Pilkilton’s home on February
11, the day the will was executed, to go to his office to make a correction to the will and returning
at least two hours later. McGraw also testified that the signed will was the final version. At trial,
he was not clear about when he made the correction but testified that the will was signed after the
correction was made. Maurine Potts and Ruby Smith, witnesses to the execution of the will, and
Stephanie McKinstry, the notary public, either could not recall or differed in their recollection about
whether McGraw left Pilkilton’s house on February 11 and then returned with a corrected will.
Appellants claim that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient because there were
conflicts in the testimony about whether and when corrections were made to the will. Although their
accounts vary, however, as to whether, when, and how the purported correction to the will took
place, no one testified that the execution of the 2007 will took place before all corrections were
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made. And regardless of whether there were conflicts in the evidence, mt was time province of the
judge, as factfinder, to resolve conflicts in the evidence. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 820;
White v. Harrison, No. 05l00 161 1CV, 2012 WL 6191348, at *5 (Tex. App.—DalIas Dec. 12,
2012, no pet.; .4ustin ‘. Weems. 337 S.W.3d 41 5, 427 (Tex. App.—llouston I 1st i)ist. j 2011 no
.
peL) jury, as factfinder, was judge of contradictory evidence, including conflicting deposition and
trial testimony).
Consequently, we conclude that claimed conflicts in the evidence did not render the evidence
insufficient and that the evidence is legally sufficient to support the finding that the 2007 will was
properly executed. Additionally, we conclude that the finding is not so against the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence that it makes the finding clearly wrong and manifestly unjust. As a
result, we also conclude that the evidence is factually sufficient to support the finding of proper
execution, We resolve Appellants’ first issue against them.
TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY
In their second issue, Appellants argue that Appellees did not produce legally or factually
sufficient evidence to support the finding that Pilkilton had testamentary capacity at the time he
executed the 2007 will.
Applicable Law
A testator has testamentary capacity when the testator has sufficient mental ability to
understand that he is making a will, the effect of making a will, and the general nature and extent of
his property. Long, 196 S.W.3d at 464. He must know his next of kin and the natural objects of his
bounty and the claims upon them. Id. He must also have sufficient memory to collect in his mind
the elements of the business transacted and hold them long enough to form a reasonable judgment
about them. Id.
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Proponents ot a vill have the burden to proc testamentary capacity. St’igkr r. Seigler, 391
S.W.2d 403, 404 (Tex, 1965); Schindler ‘.Schindlcr, 119 SW,3d 923, 931 (Tex. App.—Dallas
2003, pet. denied) In determining whether a testator had testamentary capacity, the pivotal issue is
whether the testator had testamentary capacity on the day the will was executed. Long, 196 S.W.3d
at 464—65. But evidence of the testators state of mind at other times can he used to prove the
testators slate of mind on the day the will was executed if the evidence demonstrates that a condition
affecting his testamentary capacity was persistent and was likely present at the time the will was
executed, Id. at 465.
Appellants’ Position
Appellants argue that the evidence—including evidence of Pilkilton’s “existing dementia and
deteriorating health due to age” and his “having suffered a severlel closed head injury” about two
weeks before he executed the 2007 will—establishes that Pilkilton did not have testamentary
capacity. Appellants claim that medical records “reflected that the Decedent was suffering from
dementia which was exacerbated by the closed head injury, which left him confused, disoriented,
and unable to comprehend his business, including the business of making and executing a Will.”
Appellants’ Evidence
Appellants’ expert witness, Dr. Myron Weiner. a geriatric psychiatrist, conducted a post
mortem diagnosis of Pilkilton based upon medical records and attorney ad litem reports. transcripts,
and court orders from the guardianship proceeding. Among the medical records that he reviewed
were records dated from the day Pilkilton suffered a head injury in late January 2007 through the day
after he executed the 2007 will in mid-February 2007. These records refer to Pilkilton’ s confusion,
dementia, lack of orientation as to either person, time, or place, and cognitive decline. Weiner
concluded that Pilkilton did not have testamentary capacity when he executed the will on February
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Ii. Weiner stated that he “specifically relied mostly on the nurse’s notes” and stated that the nurses’
notes br February Ii were “j c jonceivahl y I” inaccurate because they indicated that Pilk iRon was
confused during the day, evening, and night, but Pilkilton was away trom the nursing
home facility
with family [rom :00 am. to X:0() p.m. that day. Weiner also stated that the other
“clear evidence”
of incapacity on February Ii, 2007 that he reviewed was a nurse’s note from that date
that said that
Pilkilton was confused at times, but he admitted that “the flip side of that [wasj
that he’s not
conlused at Limes! .1”
Dr. John Tyson, Pilkihon’s personal physician, testified: “From the injuries that he had.
Ijust
don t think that he had the capability to execute that I will I, and that’s my medical judgm
ent.” Tyson
testified that he had no reason to believe that a note dated Febniary 1, 2007 by Dr. On
Lotan. who
treated Pilkilton after his fall, stating that Pilkilton had “behaviors consistent with
incipient
dementia was inaccurate. Tyson testified that incipient dementia is “dementia that comes
and goes”
and it usually means that the patient “will have episodes of the dementia and then he
may have
episodes of clearing.” And he testified that “if the people who observed him on Februa
ry 11th when
he signed the Will said he seemed fine to them, seemed like the same old J. B. we’ve known
for fifty
years,” their impressions would “be an indication that if he had dementia at all it
was incipient
dementiaj .1”
James Harris, a long-time friend of Pilkilton’s, described how, prior to Pilkilton’s head
injury, “his short-term memory seemed to be getting a little bad” and how “after his accide
nt he went
down hill very quickly.” Harris also testified that he did not see Pilkilton between Januar
y 25, 2007
and March or April 2007.
Harold Franks was along-time acquaintance of Pilkilton’s. Franks testif ied that Pilkilto
n did
not know who Franks was when Franks visited Pilkilton in the hospital and the nursing
home after
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his fill, and Franks did not think Pilkilton knew that he was in the hospital. Franks also testified
that he “was looking at Pilkilton I toni the choir bit” at church on February Ii . lie said that
Pilkihon “ lust wasn’t hiInselfl ,“ did not have his usual smile, and “starred [sic I of I into space.”
But Franks did not talk with Pilkilton that day. When asked whether Pilkilton led a prayer during
the church service that day—as Appellee Smith testified had happened—Franks responded that he
did not recall Pilkilton leading a prayer, and that “Itihe pastor never had a member of the
Congregation say prayers.” But Franks said that Pilkilton “might have done it when IFranksl was
not in the serviccl .1’.
Thomas Redwine, who was Pilkilton’s attorney ad litem in the guardianship proceeding,
testified that he saw Pilkilton twelve to fifteen times after he was appointed, and that Redwine “never
saw him in a situation where he didn’t need a guardian.” But Redwine also testified that he first saw
Pilkilton on February 13, 2007, the (lay that Pilkilton had moved to a new nursing home and that the
move would “have some effect on maybe a person’s mental state.”
Appellants argue that the doctors reports about examinations of Pilkilton conducted six days
before and five days after he executed the 2007 will, reports by Redwine in Pilkilton’s guardianship
proceeding, and court orders in that guardianship proceeding showed that he lacked testamentary
capacity. Appellants also contend that Potts, a witness to the execution of the will, testified at the
guardianship proceeding on March 15, 2007 that Pilkilton was in better condition at that
guardianship proceeding—when a judge ruled Pilkilton was incompetent—than he was in February
2007 when he signed “estate planning documents” and that her testimony supports their position.
In addition, Appellants argue that testimony by those present at the 2007 will execution reflected that
there were no questions asked of or declarations made by Pilkilton to indicate that Pilkilton “knew
the nature and extent of his property” or “the natural objects of his bounty” at the time he executed
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the will. See Long. 1% S.W3d at 464,
Appellees’ Position
Appellees argue that the trial court correctly found that Pilkilton “had the necess
ary
testamentary capacity to execute a will on February 11, 2007” Appellees state that Appellants
“could produce no evidence, nor did they produce a single witness Iwith one exception who
saw
Pilkilton that day hut did not speak with himj that testified that they saw J.B. Pilkilton on
February
ii 2007” or that testifIed “that at the time the decedent signed his Last Will and Testam
ent on
.
February 11, 2007, he lacked the capacity required by law.” Appellees state that, in
contrast,
Appellees “produced eight witnesses that testified to Mr. Pilkilton’s mental state on
February 11,
2007.” They also argue that the testimony by five witnesses presented by Appellants
to establish
Pilkilton’s lack of capacity had weaknesses and inconsistencies. They contend that “Itihe
circumstantial evidence presented by Appellants was simply not enough to overcome
the direct
eyewitness testimony presented by Appellees in meeting their burden at trial on capaci
ty.”
Appellees’ Evidence
Ruby Smith, who witnessed the 2007 will and had been Pilkilton’s close friend
and
companion for years, testified that Pilkilton’s mental condition on February 11 “was
as good as it
was when Ishel met him in 2000 or whenever it was.” She further testified that Pilkilton “was
angry
that day, but his mental capacity—he knew what he was doing
.1” She testified that he “knew the
people that he wanted to take care of in the Will and he knew what properties he had”
and that “he
understood the effect of his making a new Will.”
Maurine Potts, the other witness to the 2007 will, had known Pilkilton for “sixty or so” years.
She testified that, on February Ii, he knew what his property consisted of, who his family membe
rs
were, and that he was signing a will. She testified that Pilkilton called her and asked
her to come
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to his home to witness his will .She also testified that, on February II at Pilkilton’s home. Pilkilton
“told her1 what he wanted to do”, which was that “Ihic was making a Will, and he wanted Iherl to
witness it”
Michael McGraw, the attorney who drafted the will, testified that Pilkilton “was aware that
he was signing, his last Will and Testamenti .j” “that he knew the effect of making a new WilI[. I” and
that he “knew what he wanted done with the Will. I” McGraw also testified that-—”at the time the
Will was signed”—”[Pilkilton] knew who he was. He knew where he was. He knew who was in
the room.”
Stephanie McKinstry, the notary. was also present at the execution ceremony. She testified
that Pilkilton appeared “to be of a normal state of mind” on February 11. did not appear to he
confused, and was “very clear headed.” She had known Pilkilton since she was a young girl, and she
testified that she did not notice any difference in “the way he talked or his thought processes” on
February 11 from when she had talked with him on prior occasions. She testified that Pilkilton
“understood what was being told to him” and what lie was signing, and that “he knew what he was
saying, he knew what he was angry about, and he knew what he wanted.” She testified that she
would not have notarized his signature if she “felt like he didn’t know what he was signing[.j”
Appellee Cindy Smith, Cindy’s husband, Stan Smith, and Cindy and Stan’s son, Danny
Smith, all testified that Pilkilton had normal conversations with them on February 11. Danny
testified that, when he talked with Pilkilton right after he executed the will, Pilkilton did not seem
disoriented. Cindy testified that, before and after Pilkilton signed the will, he “appear[edj normal
in all respects in terms of his state of mind[.J”
Discussion
Because the pivotal issue is whether the testator had testamentary capacity on the day the will
—1 2—
was executed, we first review the evidence about Pilkihon’s testamentary capacity on that day.
Long, 196 SW.3d at 4M—65. Only four people other than the testator were present in the room
when he reviewed and signed the will. Each ot those four people testified that they believed he knew
what he was doing and that he was aware that he was signing his will, McGraw and Ruby Smith
testified that he knew the effect ol signing the will. Potts and Ruby Smith testified that he knew what
his property consisted of. Potts and McGraw testified that he knew who his family members were,
and Ruby Smith testified that “he knew the people that jsicl he wanted to take care of in the Willi.]”
James Harris said that he saw Pilkilton at church that day and that he did tint seem to be
himself, hut Harris did not talk to him. A nurse’s note in records from the facility where he lived
stated that, on the day he executed the will, he was confused at times. But, as Appellants’ expert
witness testified, the “hip side of this note was that Pilkilton was not confused at times. And
because Pilkilton was away from the facility from eight o’clock that morning to eight o’clock that
night, the accuracy of the nurses’ notes indicating that he was confused during the day, evening, and
night was questionable. Additionally, Cindy Smith, Stan Smith, and Danny Smith testified that he
appeared normal.
In a bench trial, the trial court is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the
weight to be given their testimony and resolves conflicts in the evidence. See City of Keller, 168
S.W.3d at 819—20; Wright Grp., 343 S.W.3d at 199; White, 2012 WL 6191348, at *5 The fact that
there are conflicts in the evidence does not mean that the evidence is not sufficient to support the
findings. See McKinnev Indep. Sc/i. Dist. v. C’arlisie Grace, Ltd., 222 S.W.3d 878, 885 (Tex.
App.—Dallas 2007, pet. denied) (stating “opinions are not legally insufficient simply because the
opinions contradict one another”). Although evidence was presented that tended to show that he had
dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions that might affect his mental capacity, the only
—13—
testimony from people who actually saw him and talked to him that day supported the courts finding
that he had the necessary testamentary capacity that clay.
We conclude that the evidence is legally sufficient to support the finding that Pilkilton had
testamentary capacity at the time that he executed the 2007 will. In addition, we conclude that the
finding is not so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence that it makes the finding
clearly wrong and manifestly unjust. Consequently, we also conclude that the evidence is factually
sufficient to support the finding that Pilkilton had testamentary capacity. We resolve Appellants’
second issue against them.
CoLLATERAL EsT0PPEL
In their third issue, Appellants argue that the trial court erred in finding that collateral
estoppel did not preclude the court from determining whether Pilkilton had testamentary capacity
to execute a will on February 11, 2007 because another court in a guardianship proceeding
“previously held that the Testator did not have the necessary testamentary capacity to execute a Will
on February 11, 2007.”
Applicable Law
Collateral estoppel prevents the relitigation of identical issues of law or fact that were
actually litigated and were essential to the final judgment in a prior suit. Texas Dept. of Pub. Safety
v. Petta, 44 S.W.3d 575, 579 (Tex. 2001); MGA Ins. Co. v. Charles R. Chesnutt, P.C. 358 S.W.3d
808, 817 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, no pet.). When a party seeks to assert the bar of collateral
estoppel, the party “must establish that (1) the facts sought to be litigated in the second action were
fully and fairly litigated in the first action; (2) those facts were essential to the judgment in the first
action; and (3) the parties were cast as adversaries in the first action.” John G. & Marie Stella
Kenedy Mem 7 Found. v. Dewhurst, 90 S.W.3d 268, 288 (Tex. 2002) (quoting Sysco Food Servs.,
-14--
Inc. i’. Tra,p,icII, 890 S.W.2d 796, 8() 1 (Tex 1994)).
Factual Background
On February 13, 2007, two days atier the execution of the 2007 will, Appellant Fred
Pilkilton, Jr. t1ed an application in the County Court at Law ol Grayson County to he appointed
temporary guardian of Pi1kiltons person and estate. He claimed that Pilkilton was “totally
incapacitated” and alleged that Pilkihon had “expressed in a written Durable Power of Attorney that
it is his preference that I Fred. Jr. I manage his estate and thus I Fred. Jr.j would have a preference to
serve as the temporary guardian.” He also alleged that Jefkry Pilkilton and Smith had approached
Pilkilton on or around February 8, 2007 while Pilkilton was incompetent and obtained Pilkilton’s
signature Ofl a power of attorney “for the purposes of wrongfully taking control of IPilkilton’sI
person and estate.” He contended that Jeffery Pilkilton and Smith were “taking possession and
control of both the Person and the financial assets of IPilkiltoni, by use of... invalid instruments”
including “a General Power of Attorney and possibly a General Power of Attorney for Health Care.”
He claimed that. “tim order to protect IPilkiltoni from these wrongful actions, a Temporary
Guardian needs to immediately be appointed.”
Smith filed a contest to Fred, Jr.’s application for appointment stating that she had “been
selected as guardian by J.B. Pilkilton. . . and this court must enforce that choice.” She also alleged
that “the Power of Attorney the applicant is seeking to have enforced was revoked on February 7,
20071,1” and that “J.B. Pilkilton signed a new power of Attorney granting the authority to Cynthia
M. Smith.” In addition, Smith claimed that appointment of Fred, Jr. as Pilkilton’s guardian would
not be in Pilkilton’s best interest, and that she would be better qualified.
After a hearing, the County Court at Law No. 2 issued an Order Appointing Temporary
Guardians on March 16,2007 that (1) determined there was “substantial evidence that” Pilkilton was
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“an incapacitated person and in need ol a temporary guardian to protect his estate and person
; (2)
appointed Fred Pilkilton, Jr. as temporary guardian of Pilkiltons person and l3ank of Texas,
N.A!
as temporary guardian of his estate; (3) found that Smith was disqualified to serve
as temporary
guardian because her conduct during Pilkilton’s incapacity “demonstrate
ldi that Ms. Smith I wasj
not capable ol properly and prudently managing and controlling [Pilkilton} or of protect
ing
I Pilkiltons interests and weliarel 1”
The l’ol lowing month, Fred Pilkilton, Jr. and Bank of Texas, N.A., as temporary guardi
ans
ofPilkiltons person and estate, filed an application to make the temporary guardianship perman
ent.
The applicants claimed that Pilkilton was “‘totally incapacitated’ as defined by Texas law.”
After
a hearing, the County Court at Law No. 2 issued an Order Making Temporary Guardi
anship
Permanent on May 11, 2007. The court found, “J. B. Pilkilton is totally without capacity
and lacks
the necessary capacity as provided by the Texas Probate Code to care for himself and to
manage his
individual property as a reasonably prudent person, based on reoccurring acts or occurr
ences within
the last six-month period, and that a full guardianship of both the person and estate ofJ.
B. Pilkilton,
the incapacitated person, should be granted.” The court appointed Fred, Jr. as guardian
of Pilkilton’s
person and Bank of Texas, N.A. as guardian of his estate.
Appellants’ Position
Appellants argue that “the issue of J. B. Pilkilton’s mental capacity to execute estate
planning
type documents on or after February 8, 2007, was actually litigated and determined by the fact
finder
in the Guardianship proceeding” and “is identical to the issue in this Will Contest procee
ding as to
whether J. B. Pilkilton had the necessary mental or testamentary capacity to execute the
purported
‘The Order Appointing Temporary Guardians referred to Bank of Texas Trust, but the Application
to Make Temporary Guardianships Permanent
and the Order Making Temporary Guardianships Pennanent referred to Bank of Texas. NA.
For consistency, we refer to the entity as Bank of Texas.
NA.
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February 11, 2007 Will.” Appellants contend that the other court found “that J. B. Pilkilton was
without mental capacity during the time that the Appellee. Cynthia M. Smith. alleges he validly
eXecute(l both the purported February 8, 2007 Power of Attorney, and the February ii, 2007
purported Will” and that this finding was essential to the outcome of the guardianship proceeding.
Appellees’ Position
Appellees argue that the trial court correctly found that collateral estoppel did not apply
because the issue in this will contest—Pilkilton’s testamentary capacity on the day that he executed
the 2007 will—was not identical to the issue litigated in the guardianship proceeding, was not fully
and fairly litigated iii the guardianship proceeding, and was not essential to that court’s judgment.
Appellees concede that the guardianship court found that Pilkilton lacked capacity generally, but
argue that the court did not rule on the question of Pilkilton’s capacity on February 11 at the time
he executed the will. Appellecs argue that the guardianship court found only that Pilkilton lacked
capacity to execute a preference of guardian on February 8 2007, and that it did not find, as
Appellants allege, that Pilkilton lacked capacity to execute “estate planning documents” on or after
February 8, 2007. Appellees also argue that the court’s order finding that Pilkilton warranted a
guardianship “based on reoccurring acts or occurrences within the last six-month period’ per
Probate Code Section 684” was not—as Appellants argue—a finding that Pilkilton “was completely
without capacity for six months prior” to the guardianship hearing. See TEX. PROB, CODE ANN. §
684(c) (West 2003). Additionally, they argue that the issue of Pilkilton’s capacity was not fully and
fairly litigated because, at the temporary guardianship hearing, Appellees “were not afforded an
equal opportunity to present facts” and, at the permanent guardianship proceeding, the court decided
the motion for permanent guardianship “as if it were uncontested, because of a defect in the
pleadings.”
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1)iscussion
A finding of incapacity in a guardianship proceeding is different from a finding of a lack of
testamentary capacity in a will contest. See Evans c. Allen, 358 S.W.3d 358, 366—69 (Tex.
App. ——Houston 1 st 1)ist. j 2() II no pet. > (stating “a tes tator under a guardianship does not
necessarily lack testamentary capacity to execute a will”); Stephen v. Coleman, 533 S.W.2d 444,447
(Tex. Civ, App—Fort Worth 1976. writ rcf’d nr.e.) (finding, when testator was placed under
guardianship after the (late that he executed his will, that because “there was no adjudication that the
testator was incompetent on the date that the will was signedl..J” then “there was no presumption that
the testator did not have testamentary capacity on the date he signed the will”); Clement v. Raine’,
50 S.W.2d 359, 359 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1932, writ ref’d) (stating that a person under a
guardianship is not necessarily incompetent to make a will). And the court in the guardianship
proceeding did not determine that the testator did not have testamentary capacity on February 11.
Consequently, the issue involved in this will contest, Pilkilton’s testamentary capacity on February
11. 2007, is not identical to the issue that was fully and fairly litigated and essential to the judgment
in the prior guardianship proceeding. See Petta, 44 S.W.3d at 579; MGA, 358 S.W.3d at 817.
Because of that, we do not need to address the other element of collateral estoppel.
We conclude that the trial court did not err in finding that the court was not collaterally
estopped from determining whether Pilkilton had testamentary capacity at the time he executed the
2007 will. We resolve Appellants’ third issue against them.
UNDUE INFLUENCE
Appellants argue that the trial court erred in finding that Appellees did not exercise undue
influence over Pilkilton at the time he executed the 2007 will because there was factually insufficient
evidence to support that finding.
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Applicable Law
While testamentary incapacity indicates the want of intelligent mental power, undue
influence indicates the existence of a testamentary capacity subjected to and controlled by a
dominant influence or power. Rothermel v. Duncan, 369 SW,2d 917, 922 (Tex. 1963); Long, 196
S.W.3d at 466—67. The party contesting the execution of a will generally has the burden of proving
undue influence. See Rothermel, 369 S.W.2d at 922; Quiroga v. Mannelli, No. 01-09-0031 5-CV,
2011 WL 944399, at *5 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st DisLj Mar. 17, 2011, no peL)(mem. op.). The
contestant must prove the (1) existence and exertion of an influence (2) that subverted or
overpowered the testator’s mind at the time he executed the testament (3) so that the testator
executed a testament that he would not otherwise have executed but for such influence, Rothermel,
369 S.W.2d at 922; Long, 196 S.W.3d at 467. Evidence of a fiduciary relationship between the
testator and a proponent of the will, however, raises a presumption of undue influence and, in that
circumstance, the proponent has the burden to produce evidence to show an absence of undue
influence. Spillrnan v. Spillman ‘s Estate, 587 S.W.2d 170, 172 (Tex. Civ. App.—Dallas 1979, writ
ref’d n.r.c.); Price v. Taliajèrro, 254 S.W.2d 157, 163 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1952, writ ref’d
n.r.c.) (stating, where contestant alleges undue influence and fiduciary relationship existed, “the
burden rests on the devisee to show the fairness of the transaction by appropriate evidence”). But
this “presumption is not evidence of something to be weighed along with the evidence.” Spillrnan,
587 S.W.2d at 172.
Exertion of undue influence cannot be inferred by opportunity alone. Rothermel, 369 S .W.2d
at 923; Cotten v. Cotten, 169 S.W.3d 824, 827 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005, pet. denied). There must
be some evidence that the influence was not only present, but in fact exerted in connection with the
making of the will. Rothermel, 369 S.W.2d at 923; Cotten, 169 S.W.3d at 827. Although weakness
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of mind and body produced by infirmities of disease. age, or otherwise maybe considered as material
in establishing the testator’s physical incapacity to resist or the susceptibility of his mind to an
influence exerted, it does not establish that his mind was in fact overpowered or subverted at the time
the will was executed. See Rothermel, 369 S.W.2d at 923; Long, 196 S.W.3d at 467; C’otten, 169
S.W.3d at 827. Usually the exertion of undue influence is subtle “and by its very nature usually
involves an extended course of dealings and circumstances.” Rothermel, 369 S.W.2d at 922, But
not every influence exerted by one person on another’s will is undue. Id. Influence is not undue
unless the testator’ s free agency was destroyed and the testament produced expresses the will of the
person exerting the influence. Id. Even if one requests, entreats, or importunes another to execute
an instrument that makes a favorable disposition, the entreaties and importunities will not render the
instrument invalid based on undue influence unless they were so excessive that they subverted the
will of the maker. See ii Undue influence may be exerted through—among other ways—force,
duress, intimidation, excessive importunity, or deception used to try to subvert or overcome the will
of the testator and induce the testator to execute the instrument contrary to his will. Id.
Appellants’ Position
Appellants argue that “evidence and circumstances, either alone or when coupled with the
presumption that the [Appelleesi unduly influenced the Testator as a result of the existence of a
fiduciary relationship, demonstrate” that Appellees exercised undue influence over Pilkilton at the
time he executed the 2007 will. They contend that this evidence and these circumstances include:
(1) Pilkilton’ s weakened physical and mental condition made him susceptible to undue influence by
Appellees; (2) Smith arranged a meeting with Pilkilton and attorney McGraw so that Pilkilton could
make a new will, Appellees were present while Pilkilton and attorney McGraw discussed preparation
of the will, and Appellees were present and exerted control over Pilkilton during the execution of
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the 2(X)? wilL (3) Appellces were involved in the “planning, preparation, and execution of various
estate planniiw documents concerning Pilkilton: (3) there were earlier wills in which Pilkilton left
his property “primarily to lAppellanisi, totally to the exclusion of lAppellces,1” which Appellants
assert was “[elvidence that the tcstator’s real desires were different from those expressed in the
120071 will”; and (5) Pilkilton “was easily persuaded or influenced to change the terms of his Will
to comply” with Appellees’ suggestions or the suggestions of “their agents acting in concert with
them” as shown hy attorney McGraw’s deposition testimony.
Appellants contend that Appellees “swept in on” Pilkilton within days after he suffered “a
serious brain injury that left him fully incapacitated” and, while Pilkilton was in this incapacitated
state, Appellees obtained the 2007 will and other “estate planning documents.” Appellants contend
that Appellees arranged for the attorney, used close friends as witnesses and a family member as
3 “sequestered the Testator br 12 hours,” and attempted to use McGraw’s sister as a medical
notary,
expert to establish Pilkilton’s capacity.
3 Appellants also argue that McGraw represented Appellees
individually, as reflected in a rule 11 agreement filed in the guardianship proceeding, and that he
“acted in consort with the jAppellantsj in unduly influencing the Decedent to change the
testamentary disposition of his estate by executing the Purported 2007 Will.”
Appellees’ Position
Appellees argue that the trial court correctly found that Appellees did not exert undue
influence over Pilkilton. Appellees state that “lilt is undisputed that there was evidence of a
fiduciary relationship between the Lestator and one Appellee” and that, if Appellees had the burden
The notary McKinstry was Appellee Cindy Smith’s sister; they shared the same mother. McKinstry was not related to Pilkilton,
3
Dr. Patricia Sharkey was McGraw’s sister. Sharkey testified as a witness for Appellees, but was not a retained expert.
4
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to establish a lack of undue iniluence, they “clearly met that burden.” Citing Spiliman. 587 S.W.2d
at 172, they contend that the presumption of undue influence—when a fiduciary relationship
exists—onl establishes the burden of producing evidence. Appellees contend “that the trial court
weighed the evidence presented by both sides, and that was all Appellants were entitled to.”
Appellees argue that they presented evidence that (1) Pilkilton “was not someone who could
be easily influenced”; (2) Pilkilton played dominoes often after his fall, which Appellees contend
demonstrated that he did not have “a weakness of mind”; (3) Pilkilton and Appellees had a good
relationship; (4) the 2007 will made a natural disposition of Pilkihon’s property; (5) Appellants’
actions caused Pilkilton to be angry and decide to draft a new will that did not leave property to
Appellants: (6) at Pilkiltori’s request, Cindy Smith arranged for McGraw to meet with Pilkilton for
assistance in recovering lost property, not to execute a will; (7) during Pilkilton’s meeting with
McGraw, Pilkilton initiated the idea of making another will; and (8) McGraw “isolated the decedent
while they discussed the Willi.]” Appellees contend that Pilkilton’s detailed conversation with
McGraw about whom he wanted to receive his property and what they should receive “is sufficient
evidence in itself to establish that this Will was the product of the testatorl’ Js wishes, and no one
else’s.” They also contend that, although Appellants raise “concerns about Mr. McGraw later
representing the Appellees in the guardianship proceedings, there was absolutely no evidence that
he was acting as Appellees’ agent in making the new Will.” In addition, Appellees argue that events
over the short time period between Pilkilton’s hospitalization after a fall on January 25, 2007 and
his execution of a power of attorney designating Smith to be his attorney in fact on February 7,2007,
and his execution of the 2007 will on February Ii, 2007 do not qualify as “an extended course of
dealings” that, as the supreme court stated in Rothermel, is usually involved in undue influence. See
Rothermel, 369 S.W.2d at 922.
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Discussion
There is evidence that it was Pilkilton’s idea to make the 2007 will and that Pilkilton talked
to McGraw about whom he wanted to receive his property. There is also evidence that Pilkilton
wanted to make a new will because he was angry with Appellants—who were the beneficiaries under
the 2006 will—for taking his property after his fall in late January 2007. The attorney, McGraw,
testified that Pilkilton “wanted to change the Will because he didn’t want jFred, Jr. and Rogerl to
get anything in the Will.” And Appellants’ expert Dr. Weiner—when asked how ‘the fact that the
testator was very hurt and angry with his earlier heirs I wouldi weigh in on your opinion of undue
influence”—stated that “[ijt would weigh in favor of due influence.”
Ruby Smith, who was a witness to Pilkilton’s execution of the will and his long-time
companion, testified that “Iylou didn’t influence J. B. on anything because he was very stubborn and
hard headed, and if he made up his mind about something that he was going to do, he did it, and
[Appellees] did not influence him one way or the other.” Likewise, Potts, who had known Pilkilton
for decades, testified that Pilkilton was “definitely” a man who made his own decisions and knew
what he wanted. The two witnesses to the will, the notary. and the lawyer all testified that he
appeared to know what he was doing and what he wanted.
Additionally, the evidence was that Appellee Smith arranged for Pilkilton to meet with
attorney McGraw for purposes of getting Pilkilton’s property back from Appellants. Smith checked
Pilkilton out of a nursing home for the day on February 11, 2007 and accompanied Pilkilton to
church, lunch with family members and friend Ruby Smith, and then to Pilkilton’s home where he
executed the 2007 will. Although Appellees were in the home when the will was executed, they both
testified that they were not in the room with Pilkilton when the will was executed. The record also
shows Pilkilton had a history of making new wills, and that he had disinherited Smith in a prior will.
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Although doctors and nurses noted Pilkilion’s confusion and disorientation in his hospital
records from the day of his fall in late January 2007 through the day tiller he executed the 2007 will
afl(l witnesses testified that he was conlused and not himself, the evidence also supported Appellees’
position that he was not unduly influenced, A finding of undue influence cannot be inferred 110111
Appellees’ opportunity to cxcii undue influence alone. RollIerinL’l, 369 S.W2d at 923. And there
was no evidence that Appellees’ influence was not only present but was in fact exerted with respect
to the making of the testament itself, Id. In this case, the judge as factfinder heard all of the
evidence, resolved conflicts in the evidence, and found against Appellants. See City of Keller, 168
S,W,3d at 820; White, 2012 WL 6191348, at *5, We conclude that the evidence is factually
sufficient to support the court’s finding. We resolve issue four against Appellants.
CoNcLusioN
We resolve Appellants’ four issues against them and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
I
ELIZABETH LANG- ERS’
JUS’JE
I 10246F.P05
—24—
tuatrt uf iat
3iftI! Jutnrt nf exai at Oat1ai
JUDGMENT
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Appeal from the County Court at Law No, 1
J. B. PILKILTON. DECEASED of Grayson County, Texas, (Tr.CLN0. 2009
l166P),
No. 054 1M024&CV Opinion delivered by Justice LangMiers.
Justices O’Neill and FitzGerald
participating.
In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is
AFFIRMED. It is ORDERED that appellees Cynthia Marie Smith and Jeffery Allen Pilkilton
recover their costs of this appeal from appellants Catherine C. Pilkilton, Fred Pilkilton, Jr,, and
Roger Pilkilton.
Judgment entered February 6, 2013.
1
ZL// y5)i’
ELIZABlTH LANG MIERS /
J1J$TIC