Opinion

In Re: Estate of Aldrich Withington v. Acton

  • 148 Fla. 121
  • 3 So. 2d 856
Court
Supreme Court of Florida
Filed
Sep 12, 1941
Status
Published
Author
Buford
On the bench
Whitfield, Terrell, Chapman, Thomas, Brown, Buford, Adams
Cited by
12 cases
Authority
More cited than 37.4%

The opinion

Buford, J., dissenting

It appears to me as being uncontroverted that Dr. McRae occupied the most confidential relations, possible between two men, with

*141

the testator; that the uncontradicted evidence shows that Dr. McRae initiated the proceedings for the preparation of the will by procuring a lawyer of his own choice, who was unacquainted with the testator, to go to the bedside of testator and get directions for the drafting of the will with the understanding that he, McRae, was to be thereby bequeathed a large share (one half) of testator’s estate. The burden therefore to establish the absence of undue influence was then on the legatee. 28 R.C.L., pg. 146, Bancroft v. Otis, 91 Ala. 279 , 8 So. 286 , 24 A.S.R., 904. The contestants carried the burden of showing the facts upon which the law prima facie presumes the exertance of undue influence. The correct rules as to burden of proof was not applied in the courts below. The judgment should be reversed.

Adams, J. concurs.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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