Opinion
2015–12031 2016–05253 File No. 326/14
10-03-2018
In the MATTER OF VICTOR J. Cianci, also known as Victor Joseph Cianci, deceased. Lorraine Ueltzen, etc., petitioner-respondent; v. Barbara Niederhoffer, et al., objectants-appellants.
Montalbano, Condon & Frank, P.C., New City, NY (Kurt E. Johnson of counsel), for objectants-appellants. Annette G. Hasapidis, South Salem, NY, for petitioner-respondent.
Montalbano, Condon & Frank, P.C., New City, NY (Kurt E. Johnson of counsel), for objectants-appellants.
Annette G. Hasapidis, South Salem, NY, for petitioner-respondent.
WILLIAM F. MASTRO, J.P., RUTH C. BALKIN, SYLVIA O. HINDS–RADIX, ANGELA G. IANNACCI, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER
In a contested probate proceeding, the objectants appeal from (1) an order of the Surrogate's Court, Orange County (Robert A. Onofry, S.), dated October 8, 2015, and (2) an order of the same court dated January 25, 2016. The order dated October 8, 2015, insofar as appealed from, granted those branches of the petitioner's motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the objection to probate based on undue influence and admitting the last will and testament of the decedent to probate. The order dated January 25, 2016, insofar as appealed from, upon reargument, adhered to so much of the original determination in the order dated October 8, 2015, as granted those branches of the petitioner's motion.
ORDERED that the appeal from the order dated October 8, 2015, is dismissed, as the portions of the order appealed from were superseded by the order dated January 25, 2016, made upon reargument; and it is further,
ORDERED that the order dated January 25, 2016, is affirmed insofar as appealed from; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the petitioner.
The decedent, Victor J. Cianci, also known as Victor Joseph Cianci, died on December 23, 2013. Prior to his death, the decedent had been living with his niece, Lorraine Ueltzen (hereinafter the petitioner), and her daughter since 2007. Barbara Niederhoffer, Sheila Clausen, and Jeffrey Plotkin (hereinafter collectively the objectants) were the decedent's nieces and nephew by marriage. The decedent's last will and testament dated September 23, 2009, provided that the objectants would each receive the sum of $50,000 from the proceeds of the sale of certain farmland known as "Blue Spruce Farm," located in Goshen, and that the petitioner would receive the remaining proceeds.
The petitioner filed a petition to admit the will to probate. The objectants filed objections to the probate of the propounded will on the ground, inter alia, that the will was the product of undue influence. The petitioner moved for summary judgment dismissing the objections and admitting the will to probate. In an order dated October 8, 2015, the Surrogate's Court granted the petitioner's motion. The objectants subsequently moved, inter alia, for leave to reargue their opposition to those branches of the petitioner's motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the objection to probate based on undue influence and admitting the will to probate. In an order dated January 25, 2016, the Surrogate's Court, inter alia, upon reargument, adhered to so much of the determination in the order dated October 8, 2015, as granted those branches of the petitioner's motion. The objectants appeal.
"An objectant seeking to establish an objection to the probate of a will based on undue influence must show that the influence exercised amounted to a moral coercion, which restrained independent action and destroyed free agency, or which, by importunity which could not be resisted, constrained the testator to do that which was against his [or her] free will and desire, but which he [or she] was unable to refuse or too weak to resist" ( Matter of Capuano, 93 A.D.3d 666, 667–668, 939 N.Y.S.2d 553 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Walther, 6 N.Y.2d 49, 53, 188 N.Y.S.2d 168, 159 N.E.2d 665 ; Bazigos v. Krukar, 140 A.D.3d 811, 813, 32 N.Y.S.3d 638 ; Matter of Albert, 137 A.D.3d 1266, 1267–1268, 30 N.Y.S.3d 121 ). "Although undue influence may be established through circumstantial evidence, such evidence must be of a substantial nature, and an inference of undue influence cannot be reasonably drawn from circumstances when they are not inconsistent with a contrary inference" ( Matter of Favaloro, 94 A.D.3d 989, 992, 942 N.Y.S.2d 579 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Walther, 6 N.Y.2d at 54, 188 N.Y.S.2d 168, 159 N.E.2d 665 ; Matter of Zirinsky, 43 A.D.3d 946, 947–948, 841 N.Y.S.2d 637 ).
"[T]he burden of proof generally lies with the party asserting undue influence" ( Matter of DelGatto, 98 A.D.3d 975, 977, 950 N.Y.S.2d 738 ). "However, where a confidential relationship is established, the burden shifts to the beneficiary to show that the transaction is fair and free from undue influence" ( Matter of Albert, 137 A.D.3d at 1268, 30 N.Y.S.3d 121 ; see Matter of DelGatto, 98 A.D.3d at 978, 950 N.Y.S.2d 738 ). "In order to demonstrate the existence of a confidential relationship, there must be evidence of circumstances that demonstrate inequality or a controlling influence" ( Matter of Albert, 137 A.D.3d at 1268, 30 N.Y.S.3d 121 ).
Contrary to the objectants' contention, the petitioner made a prima facie showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law dismissing the objection to probate based on undue influence. The petitioner established, prima facie, that the decedent was coherent and financially, mentally, and emotionally independent when he executed the will. The attorney who drafted the propounded will testified at his deposition that the decedent was referred to him by another attorney, that he always met with the decedent alone, and that the change made to the decedent's prior will was precipitated by the decedent's desire to bequeath a larger portion of the proceeds of the sale of Blue Spruce Farm to the petitioner. In opposition, the objectants failed to submit any evidence, beyond conclusory allegations and speculation, that the petitioner actually exerted undue influence over the decedent (see Bazigos v. Krukar, 140 A.D.3d at 813–814, 32 N.Y.S.3d 638 ; Matter of DiDomenico, 101 A.D.3d 998, 1000–1001, 956 N.Y.S.2d 122 ; Matter of Zirinsky, 43 A.D.3d at 948, 841 N.Y.S.2d 637 ). Without a showing that undue influence was actually exerted, mere speculation as to motive and opportunity is insufficient (see Matter of Walther, 6 N.Y.2d at 55, 188 N.Y.S.2d 168, 159 N.E.2d 665 ; Matter of Romano, 137 A.D.3d 922, 923, 27 N.Y.S.3d 86 ; Matter of Eastman, 63 A.D.3d 738, 740, 880 N.Y.S.2d 157 ; Matter of Herman, 289 A.D.2d 239, 240, 734 N.Y.S.2d 194 ). Furthermore, the fact that the petitioner may have been in a confidential relationship with the decedent was counterbalanced by the petitioner's evidence of a close family relationship that existed between them while they lived together (see Matter of Walther, 6 N.Y.2d at 56, 188 N.Y.S.2d 168, 159 N.E.2d 665 ; Matter of Prevratil, 121 A.D.3d 137, 143, 990 N.Y.S.2d 697 ; Matter of DiDomenico, 101 A.D.3d at 1001, 956 N.Y.S.2d 122 ; Matter of Anella, 88 A.D.3d 993, 995, 931 N.Y.S.2d 408 ; Matter of Scher, 74 A.D.3d 827, 828, 903 N.Y.S.2d 900 ; Matter of Zirinsky, 43 A.D.3d at 948, 841 N.Y.S.2d 637 ).
Accordingly, we agree with the determination of the Surrogate's Court, upon reargument, to adhere to so much of the original determination in the order dated October 8, 2015, as granted those branches of the petitioner's motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the objection to probate based on undue influence and admitting the will to probate.
MASTRO, J.P., BALKIN, HINDS–RADIX and IANNACCI, JJ., concur.