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S\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X75+ ` hp x 5  &  d dE)1dxd<:zTop of For7H(X7    5+ ` hp x 5?Q%2A`Arial?  S\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X75+ ` hp x 5  E)2dxd0KS.SampleKP<6X9`(Courier NewKS\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8dl6TypewriterKP<6X9`(Courier NewKS\  `&Times New RomanS42Variable: 8HTML MarkupB      2 0CommentB   !"#$% 35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.<6X9`(Courier New%2A`Arial(|G2y$ !.8udd8         0  U3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)Si)X[YC<< C d(O$(|3s$ !.8udd8     VVVV)!dxdx)!dxdx( $ Figure  1    AGIE COATenn.R.Civ.P.SwineyStaniferTazewellR.AppHuddlestonMcCartneyask[edMatlockTenn.Ct.App WeikChildressCurrie T]heKestleEldridgeBundren^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3s$ !.8udd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular !.8udd8     _  u8GXXdd8  @ <uINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  @WW$ATKNOXVILLE#u< #Ԉ &   September23,2004Session L XGXu #uXXG#InRe:ESTATEOFAGIEBUNDRENXGXu  J @@ AppealfromtheProbateCourtforClaiborneCounty  J @@No.P1735HerbertM.Bacon,Judge  6 @@*AV) ` dE<` A   @@TTNo.E200302746_COA_ԄR3CVFILEDNOVEMBER23,_2004_   AV) ` dE<|` A }       #uXXGf#XGXubXXXXXGThetwoprimaryissuesinthiscaseare:whetherdeedsthatareexecutedbyafathertohis x  variouschildren,butretainedbyhiswifeinalockboxinhishomeandnotdeliveredtohischildren d untilafterhisdeath,areinvalidduetolackofdelivery;andwhetherdeedsexecutedbyafatherto P hissonareinvalidduetothesonsallegedundueinfluenceoverthefatherwherethefatherandson < hadaclosepersonalandbusinessrelationship,butwherethefatherretainedhisindependence (x despitehisdeterioratingphysicalhealth.AgieBundrenexecutedtwelvedeedsconveyingtractsof d hisrealpropertytohischildrentenofthedeedswereretainedinalockboxinAgie_Bundren_shome P andtwoweredeliveredtoasonwithwhomAgieBundrenhadaclosebusinessandpersonal < relationship.WeholdthatthedeedsretainedinthelockboxandnotdeliveredtoAgie_Bundren_s ( childrenuntilafterhisdeathareineffectivegiftsduetofailureofdeliveryandthattheevidence  preponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsfindingthatthetwodeedsdeliveredpriortoAgie_Bundren_s  deathwereprocuredbythesonduetoundueinfluence.Accordingly,weaffirmthetrialcourts  judgmentastodeedsretainedinthelockboxandreverseastothedeedsdeliveredtothesonprior  toAgie_Bundren_sdeath.#XGXXbXX##uXXG#XGXu t  Tenn.R.Civ.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheProbateCourt L  AffirmedinPartandReversedinPart;CaseRemanded  8!    SharonG.Lee,J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichCharlesD.Susano,Jr.andD. #`" MichaelSwiney,JJ.,joined. #L# DavidH.Stanifer,Tazewell,Tennessee,forAppellantJerryBundren. %$!% DavidL.Bacon,Knoxville,Tennessee,forAppelleesWilliamAlbertBundren,HelenJohnson, '"' LeonardBundren,ThelmaBundren,LarryBundren,andDavidBundren. (#(   4-(- Ї OPINION    I.FactualBackground       AgieBundren( Decedent)ownedafarminClaiborneCounty,Tennesseeconsistingof \ approximatelyonethousandcontiguousacres.WhenhediedonAugust15,2000,Decedentwas H  survivedbyhiswifeandsevenchildren.OnAugust30,2000,Decedentslastwillandtestament 4  wasadmittedtoprobate.OnDecember18,2000,Petitioners,whoweresixofhissevenchildren,  p filedapetitioninClaiborneCountyProbateCourtagainsttheirbrother,JerryBundren  \ ( Respondent).Thepleadingwasstyled PetitiontoSetAsideFraudulentConveyancesand  H  requestedthatthetrialcourtsetasidetwelvedeedspurportingtoconveycertaintractsofrealestate  4  ownedbyDecedent.FiveofthedeedsconveyedpropertytotheRespondent.Theremainingdeeds   conveyedpropertytoPetitioners.Thepetitionallegedthat theRespondentandtheDeceasedhad   aclosepersonalandworkingrelationshipforseveralyearspriortothedeathoftheDeceased,such   thattherewasgreatopportunityforundueinfluenceandimproperdealingbyRespondent,andthat   Respondenthadundulyinfluencedhisfathertoexecutethedeeds.     ThecasewasheardwithoutajuryonMay29,2003.Attheconclusionofthepresentation X oftheevidence,thetrialcourt,actingonitsownaccordandmotion,raisedtheissueofwhetherthere D hadbeenafailureofdeliveryofthedeedsthatremainedintheDecedentslockboxuntilafterhis 0 death.Thetrialcourtprovidedthepartiesanopportunitytobriefandputonfurtherproofregarding l thedeliveryissue.ThedepositionofDecedentswife,JeanBundren,wastakenandapparentlyfiled X withthecourt,althoughitisnotpartoftherecordonappeal. D   ThetrialcourtsubsequentlyheldthatthosedeedswhichhadremainedinDecedentslockbox  untilafterhisdeathwereinvalidduetolackofdelivery.Thetrialcourtalsoheldthatthosedeeds  thathadbeenexecutedbyDecedentanddeliveredtoRespondentwereinvalidbecauseRespondent  hadprocuredthemthroughundueinfluence.ThetrialcourtorderedthatDecedentsrealproperty  shouldpasstoPetitionersandRespondentaccordingtothetermsofDecedentswill. | Ѐ   II.Issues T     Respondentappealsthejudgmentofthetrialcourtandraisesthefollowingissuesforour $"t  review: #`!   1.Whetherthetrialcourterredinholdingthatallnecessaryandindispensablepartieswere $8 # beforethecourtwhenthepetitionincludedonlythenamesofDecedentschildrenandnottheir %$!$ spousesnames. &"%   2.WhetherthetrialcourterredinholdingthatRespondentexercisedundueinfluenceon (#' DecedentbyinducinghimtoexecutethedeedsgrantingRespondentcertainrealestatetracts. )$(   p*%)   3.WhetherthetrialcourterredinholdingthatthedeedsinDecedentslockboxwereinvalid   duetolackofdelivery.     III.StandardofReview t  XXXXXG  Inthisnonjurycase,ourreviewis#XGXXXX%#XXXXXGdenovo#XGXXXX#XXXXXGԀupontherecordoftheproceedingsbelow;but D  therecordcomestouswithapresumptionofcorrectnessastothetrialcourt'sfactualdeterminations 0  whichwemusthonorunlesstheevidencepreponderatesagainstthosefindings.Tenn.R.App.P.  l 13(d);#XGXXXX#XXXXXGWrightv.CityofKnoxville,#XGXXXXd #XXXXXGԀ898S.W.2d177,181(Tenn.1995);#XGXXXX #XXXXXGUnionCarbideCorp.v.  X Huddleston,#XGXXXX,!#XXXXXGԀ854S.W.2d87,91(Tenn.1993).Thetrialcourt'sconclusionsoflaw,however,are  D  accordednosuchpresumption.#XGXXXX!#XXXXXGCampbellv.FloridaSteelCorp.,#XGXXXXq"#XXXXXGԀ919S.W.2d26,35(Tenn.1996);  0  #XGXXXX"#XXXXXGPresleyv.Bennett,#XGXXXXO##XXXXXGԀ860S.W.2d857,859(Tenn.1993).#XGXXXX##     IV.NecessaryandIndispensableParties     $  Respondentarguesthatthiscourtshouldinvalidatethetrialcourtsjudgmentbecauseall t  necessaryandindispensablepartieswerenotnamedintheproceeding.Wequotefromhisbriefhis ` argumentinthisregard: L 8  8`   The[Petitioners]filedtheircomplaintonlylistingthemselvesas $t petitionersandJerryBundrenastherespondent.Thepetitionersdid ` notlistthosepersonswhowerealsolistedonthedeedsalongwith L them.Forinstance,the[Petitioners]didnotlistBrendaBundren 8 (wifeofLarryBundren),MarianneBundren(wifeofWilliam $ Bundren)orSandyBundren(wifeofLeonardBundren)aspartiesto  thesuiteventhoughtheirnamesaccompaniedthepartiesnameson  thedeeds.Furthermore,the[Petitioners]didnotnameBarbara  Bundrenasarespondenteventhoughhernameaccompaniedthatof  Jerry_Bundren_soneachofJerry_Bundren_sdeeds.p` x` x   Thisissueiswithoutmerit.Itwasnotraisedbeforethetrialcourt.AlthoughRespondents H  counselbrieflymentioneditinpassinginremarkstothetrialcourtaftercloseofproof,itwasnot 4! includedinRespondents StatementofIssuesfiledwiththetrialcourtbeforethehearing.As  "p  Petitionershavenoted,eitherRespondentJerryBundrenorhiswifeBarbaraBundrencouldhave  #\! filedamotionwiththetrialcourttoaddMrs.Bundrenasaproperpartytothelawsuit,iftheyhad #H" aconcernthatherinterestswerenotadequatelyrepresentedbyRespondent.AsstatedinBrewerv. $4 # Lawson,569S.W.2d856(Tenn.App.1978), % !$ S'K#'" S O !"#$%(03S?+ ` hp x X?    8  8`   XXXXXGAproperpartyisnotthesameasanecessaryorindispensableparty. 'K#& Onlyapartywhowillbedirectlyaffectedbyadecreeandwhose (7$' interestisnotrepresentedbyanyotherpartytothelitigationisan )#%(  indispensableornecessaryparty,thatis,onewithoutwhichnovalid *&) decreemaybeenteredsettlingtherightsbetweenthepartiesthatare  beforetheCourt.` x` x  #XGXXXX-#Brewer,569S.W.2d856XXXXXGat858(emphasisadded). j -#XGXXXX0#   V.DeliveryoftheDeeds    0    ThetrialcourtheldthatcertainofthedeedsrequestedtobesetasidebyPetitionersfaileddue  b tolackofdeliverybyDecedent.Thechallengeddeedsorcopiesthereof,arenotincludedinthe  N  recordbeforeus.Accordingtothepetition,thedeedsexecutedbyDecedenttohischildrenwereas :  follows:fivedeedstoRespondentJerryBundren;twodeedstoPetitionerLarryBundrenandhiswife &  Brenda;onedeedtoPetitionerDavidBundren;onedeedtoPetitionerBillBundrenandwife   Marianne;onedeedtoPetitionerHelenJohnson;onedeedtoPetitionerLeonardBundrenandwife   Sandy;andonedeedtoPetitionerThelmaBundren.Thedeedsapparentlywereexecutedatvarious   timesbetween1996and2000.    ThedeedswerepreparedbyRespondentatDecedentsrequest.Allbuttwoofthedeeds T weregivenbyRespondenttoDecedent,whoplacedtheminhislockbox.RespondentJerryBundren @ testifiedthathereceivedtwoofthedeeds;onehedulyrecordedonMarch11,1996,andtheother , hereceivedonSeptember10,1998,butdidnotrecordbecause Daddy[Decedent]didntwantme  torecordit.    Regardingthedeedsplacedandkeptinthelockbox,thereisnoindicationintheevidence 2 thatanyofPetitionerswereawareoftheirexistencepriortoDecedentsdeath.PetitionersHelen n Johnson,ThelmaBundren,andLeonardBundreneachtestifiedthattheydidnotknowthedeeds  Z existeduntilaftertheirfathersdeathandthelockboxwasopened.ShortlyafterDecedentsdeath F (therecordisunclearastoexactlywhen)thelockboxwasopenedatafamilymeeting.Asthetrial 2 courtfoundinitsmemorandumopinion, someofthesedeedsweresubsequentlyrecorded...and   somewerenot.ThelmaBundrentestifiednonesoughtlegaladviceaswhethertorecord[the]deeds, !  butthosewhorecordeddidsoforfeartheywouldendupwithnothingiftheydidntrecordthe " deeds. #   Asalreadynoted,Respondentappealsthetrialcourtsrulingthatthedeedswhichremained &`!  inthelockboxuntilafterDecedentsdeathwereinvalidforlackofdelivery.Thedeliveryofadeed &L"! isessentialtoitsvalidity.Coxv.McCartney,236S.W.2d736(Tenn.App.1950).TheCoxcourt '8#" statedasfollowsregardingthedeliveryrequirement: ($$#  0Sf*%*c%?+ ` hp x X?XXXXXG   f*%$ 8  8`   Anundelivereddeedpassesnotitleandisofnoeffect.Adeeddoes   notbecomeoperativeuntilithasbeendeliveredwiththeintention  thatitshallbecomeeffectiveasaconveyance.Deliveryisamatterof  intentionmanifestedbyconduct,words,andactsofthegrantor;and t itistobeinferredfromallthecircumstancesappearing.#XGXXXX<#XXXXXG`` x` x    `    *0 h 0h(#h(#*0(#(#0p(#(#* .p(#p(# 8  8`   Thetestofdeliveryisthepowerofthegrantorofadeedtorecallit. \  Hashepartedwithdominionorcontroloverit?Ifso,therehasbeen H  delivery.Butifheretainstherighttocontrolorreclaimthedeed, 4  thereisnodeliveryeventhoughthegrantorneverundertookto  p  exercisesuchright. \ ` x` x    `    *0 h 0h(#h(#*0(#(#0p(#(#*p(#p(# 8  8`   TheruleiswellsettledinTennesseethatitistheintentionofthe X grantorofadeedthatdetermineswhetherdeliveryoftheinstrument D isabsoluteorconditional,eventhoughsuchdeliverybemadetothe 0 granteeofthedeed.` x` x #XGXXXX>#<XXXXXG#XGXXXXC#Cox,236S.W.2d736,738(_Tenn.App_.1950)(citationsomitted). J     Thetrialcourtfoundthatatsomepoint,Decedentgavehiswife,JeanBundren,thelockbox  forsafekeepingand requestedhertobesureJerryandLeonardwerepresentwhentheboxwas  opened.ThetrialcourtreviewedMrs.Jean_Bundren_sdepositiontestimony,andciteditinits  memorandumopinion.ThetranscriptofMrs._Bundren_sdepositionisnotincludedintherecord   beforeus.Thetrialcourtfurtherfoundasfollows: x! 8  8`   Testatorswifefollowedhiswishes;andhidthemetalboxinvarious #F places,andinthebeginningTestatorknewwheretheboxwashidden $2  andhadaccesstosaidboxfromtimetotimeuntilhebecame %! seriouslyill.ThereafterTestatorswifehidtheboxand[neither] & "  TestatornoranyoneelseotherthanTestatorswifeknewwherethe '"! boxwashidden.SaidboxremainedinpossessionofTestatorswife (#" untilshepresentedsametoTestators[children].~)$#` x` x 8  8`    OncrossexaminationTestatorswifewasaskedwhether * &$ TestatorhadinstructedwifetonotdisclosetoTestatorthehiding +&% placeofthebox.Herresponsewashehadnot.Thenwifewasasked  ifTestatorhadrequestedwifetoreturntheboxtohimwouldshe  havedoneso.Wifesanswerwas yes,Iwouldhaveifhedhave  ask[ed]forit.But,hedidnotaskforit.t` x` x 8  8`      *0h` x` x0hxhx*0xx0pxx* Bpxpx 8  8`   TheCourtfindsafterJerryBundrenpreparedthesedeedstothe p  siblingsand/ortheirspousesandthesamewerenotarized,Defendant \  JerryBundrenturnedovertothepossessionofTestatorallofthe H  deedswhichweresubsequentlyfoundinthemetalboxafter 4  Testatorsdeath.TheCourtfurtherfindsthatTestatorretained  p  possessionandcontrolofsaiddeedsuntilafterTestatorsdeath.  \  EventhoughTestatorrequestedwifetoholdthemetalboxforsafe H  keepinghecontinuedtomaintaincontroloveritbecausethewife 4 statedshewouldhavereturnedtheboxtohimifhehadaskedforit.    ` x` x =D    RespondenttestifiedthatDecedentkeptandmaintainedpossessionofthedeedsuntilhis K death.RespondenttestifiedthatTestator retainedpossessionofthemuntilhisdeath,andthat 7  nobodyelsehadanypossessionofthem.Ourreviewoftherecordpersuadesusthattheevidence # doesnotpreponderateagainstthetrialcourtsconclusionthat,underthespecificfactsofthiscase,  Decedentdidnotpartwithdominionandcontrolofthedeedsthatremainedinhislockbox,and  therefore,thedeedsareinvalidduetolackofdelivery.     `     h       VI.UndueInfluence e  R  TwoofthechallengeddeedsweredeliveredtoRespondentandhehadpossessionofthem  atthetimeofDecedentsdeath.Thefirstdeed,recordedbyRespondentonMarch11,1996,granted w  Respondenta155acretractofrealestate.Respondenttestifiedasfollowsregardingthesecond c! deed: O" 8  8`   Q:Thenyouhadanotherdeedthatyourecordedthedaybefore!the $  dayofthelockboxopening,justbeforetheyopenedupthelockbox?% ! ` x` x 8  8`   A:Yessir.7(#"` x` x 8  8`   Q:Andhowlonghadyouhadthatdeed?*&$` x` x  +D'% 8  8`   A:Since9/10/98.` x` x 8  8`   Q:SinceSeptember10,1998?.~` x` x 8  8`   A:Yes. ` x` x 8  8`   Q:Butyoudidntrecordthatdeed?* z` x` x 8   ` A:Thatsright.       `     h      p      x 8  8`   Q:Youdidntwanttheseotherstoknowthatyouhadthatdeed?&v ` x` x    ` A:Daddydidntwantmetorecordit.   8  8`   Q:Hedidntwanttheothers!"r` x` x 8  8`   A:Hedidntwantitrecorded.` x` x   Thetrialcourtheldthatthedeedswereinvalidbecausetheywereprocuredasaresultof n RespondentsundueinfluenceoverDecedent.Aclaimofundueinfluencerequiresashowingofa  Z confidentialrelationship,whichhasbeenrecentlydiscussedbytheSupremeCourtasfollows: F St?+ ` hp x X?    8  8`   XXXXXGInTennessee,forexample,wherethereisa"confidentialrelationship,  followedbyatransactionwhereinthedominantpartyreceivesa   benefitfromtheotherparty,apresumptionofundueinfluencearises, ! thatmayberebuttedonlybyclearandconvincingevidenceofthe " fairnessofthetransaction."#XGXXXX[#XXXXXGMatlockv.Simpson,#XGXXXX]#XXXXXGԀ902S.W.2d384,386 w# (Tenn.1995)(citationsomitted).Aconfidentialrelationshipisany c$ relationshipwhichgivesonepersondominionandcontrolover O%  another.#XGXXXX]#XXXXXGSeeMitchellv.Smith,#XGXXXX^#XXXXXGԀ779S.W.2d384,389 ;&! (Tenn.Ct.App.1989).''w"` x` x 8  8`    #XGXXXXW_#XXXXXGTheburdenofproofregardingaconfidentialrelationshiprests f(# uponthepartyclaimingtheexistenceofsucharelationship.#XGXXXX `#XXXXXGSee R)$  Brownv.Weik,#XGXXXX`#XXXXXGԀ725S.W.2d938,945(Tenn.Ct.App.1983).>*%!` x` x  }+&" Childressv.Currie,74S.W.3d324,328(Tenn.2002).Itisclearthataparentchildrelationshipis  notaperseconfidentialrelationship.Matlockv.Simpson,902S.W.2d384,385(Tenn.1995).In  Kellyv.Allen,558S.W.2d845(Tenn.1977),theSupremeCourtstatedasfollowsinthisregard#XGXXXXba#XXXXXG# XXX #XXX :  [SY  V#XGXXXXhc#?+ ` hp x X?XXXXXG  8  8`   [T]henormalrelationshipbetweenamentallycompetentparentand Y  anadultchildisnotperseaconfidentialrelationshipandraisesno E  presumptionoftheinvalidityofagiftfromonetotheother.Inorder 1  forsuchapresumptiontoarisetheremustbeashowingthatthere  m werepresenttheelementsofdominionandcontrolbythestronger  Y overtheweaker,ortheremustbeashowingofsenilityorphysical  E  andmentaldeteriorationofthedonororthatfraudorduresswas 1  involved,orotherconditionswhichwouldtendtoestablishthatthe   freeagencyofthedonorwasdestroyedandthewillofthedoneewas   substitutedtherefor. ` x` x Kelly,558S.W.2dat848. #s   Inthepresentcase,PetitionerspointoutthatRespondentwasnotonlyDecedentsson,but  alsohisbusinesspartnerintheirhogfarmingoperation.Respondentreadilyadmittedthathespent  alotoftimewithDecedentandtherebyhadtheopportunitytoinfluencehim.Weagreewith y PetitionersthatthebusinessrelationshipbetweenDecedentandPetitionerisafactortobeproperly e consideredindeterminingwhetheraconfidentialrelationshipexisted,butnotnecessarilyor Q automaticallyadeterminantfactor.Inundueinfluencecases,ourcourtshaveconsistentlylooked = forevidencetendingtoshowdominationandcontrol.Kelly,supra;Childressv.Currie,74S.W.2d )y at329( Thecoredefinitionofaconfidentialrelationshiprequiresproofofdominionandcontrol.). e Inthepresentcase,weareoftheopinionthatthegreatweightoftheevidencedemonstratesthat Q whileDecedentsphysicalhealthgraduallydeterioratedpriortohisdeath,heremainedastrong = willedpersonwhowasnotsusceptibletomentaldomination. )    AllofthepartieswhotestifiedattrialwereingeneralagreementthatDecedentwasan "T independent,strongwilledindividualwhowasnoteasilyinfluenced.PetitionerHelenJohnson "@ testifiedaboutDecedentsgraduallydecliningphysicalhealth.ShetestifiedthatDecedent always #, hadstomachproblemsandbowelproblems,andinJulyof1996hehadhisgallbladderremoved. $  Shestatedthat afterhisgallbladdersurgeryhishealthwasnotasgoodasithadbeenpreviously. %!! Iobservedthathewasnotdoingasmuchfarmwork.Hewouldnotwanttogetoutandridethe &!" tractor,thatsortofthing.HewouldendupspendingmoretimeattheSeniorCitizensCenter '"# playingcards,thatsortofthing,becausehedidntfeelasgood.InOctoberof1998,Decedent x(#$ underwentsurgeryforanabdominalaneurysm. d)$%   Ms.JohnsontestifiedasfollowsaboutDecedentsconditionafterthe1998surgery: +2'' Ї8  8`   Q:Andafterthe!didhehaveafullrecoveryfromthesurgeryin  98?8 ` x` x   8  8`   A:Wellheneverseemedtobebacktowherehewasbeforehehad j theaneurysmsurgery.Imean,surehegotstronger.Hegotstronger.  V But,heneverseemedtobehisself,hisoldselfagain. B` x` x Ѐ8  8`   Q:Okay.Well,whenyousaythat,canyougiveusanyspecific p  examplesthatyouobserved,thingsthatyouknowofyourown \  knowledge?H ` x` x 8  8`   A:Hewouldjustalwaysseemweakerandnothaveasmuchenergy.   Hedidntseemtodoasmucharoundthefarm. ` x` x InAprilof2000,Decedentwasdiagnosedwithstagefourcancer,andhediedonAugust15,2000. 0 WhenaskedbythecourtifDecedentreliedmoreontheRespondentafter1996thanhehadbefore, l Ms.Johnsonstated, Icantreallytestifytothat,YourHonor. X   TheonlynonpartytotestifyattrialwasMr.KestleEldridge,whostatedthatheknew  Decedentasafriendandinaprofessionalrelationshipforapproximatelytwentyyears.Mr.Eldridge r testifiedinrelevantpartasfollows: ^ 8  8`   Mr.Bundrenwasa!hewasaforcefulman.Hedonehisown , thinkingandhemadehisowndecisions.Hewasalwaysreally  rationalaboutthewayheapproachedhisbusinessandhisdecisions.   ` x` x    `  *0  0h(#(#0h(#h(#*0(#(#0p(#(#0p(#p(#* /(#(# #XGXXXXmd#d_XXXXXG_  8  8`   Q:Fromseventeenyearsagointhenines[sic],91,95,96,99;did ]# youseeanychangeinAgie_Bundren_smentalstateastowhetheror I$ nothecalledtheshots,orsomeoneelseinfluencedhim,orwhatwas 5%  yourobservation?!&q!` x` x 8  8`   A:Itwasmyobservationthathedidntchangeany.Asamatterof (#! facthecalledmetohisbedsideabouttwoweekspriortohisdeath.)$"` x` x 8  8`   Q:Youwenttohishome? ,Y'$` x` x Ї8  8`   A:HerequestedbytelephonethatIcomebyandseehim,thathe  wantedtotalktome.` x` x 8  8`   Q:Allright.j` x` x 8  8`    ` x` x 8  8`   A:AndIwentandtalkedtohim.Hewantedtodiscusstheleaseof   thatbullthatIwasleasingfromhim.Andhelaidoutwhathewanted   donetome.Hesaid, ifthatsacceptabletoyou.AndIsaid, Well, p  itsacceptable.AndthenhecalledJerry[Respondent]intothe \  room.Whenhecalledhimintotheroom,Jerrywantedtoaltersome H  ofthethingsthatheandIhaddiscussed.AndMr.Bundrentoldhim, 4   No,werenotchanginganyofthis.ThisisthewayIwantthis.And  p  thisisthewayitstobecarriedout,period.Theresnochanginghis  \  mind.Therewasnodiscussionaboutit.Hewasnotgoingtosaywell H  welldothisorthis,orthisorthis.Hesaid, Thisisthewayits 4 goingtobe. ` x` x 8  8`    ` x` x 8  8`   Q:WasJerryabletoinfluencehiminchanginghisdecisionontwo N weeksbeforehedied?:` x` x 8  8`    ` x` x 8  8`   A:No.   ` x` x #XGXXXXz#  Basedonourreviewofalltheevidenceintherecordbeforeus,weareoftheopinionthat 3 theevidencepreponderatesinfavoroftheconclusionthatPetitionershavefailedtocarrytheir  burdenofprovingaconfidentialrelationshipbetweenDecedentandRespondent.Accordingly,the   judgmentofthetrialcourtholdingthetwodeedsthathadbeendeliveredtoRespondentpriorto  Decedentsdeathinvalidbecauseofundueinfluenceisreversed.        Thetrialcourtsjudgmentinallotherrespectsisaffirmed.Therealpropertydescribedin "a thedeedsinvalidatedforfailureofdeliveryistobedividedasdirectedbyDecedentslastwilland "M testament.Thecaseisremandedtothetrialcourtforsuchfurtheractionasmaybenecessary, #9 consistentwiththisopinion.CostsonappealareassessedonehalftotheRespondentAppellant, $%  JerryBundren,andonehalftothePetitionersAppellees,WilliamAlbertBundren,HelenJohnson, %!  LeonardBundren,ThelmaBundren,LarryBundren,andDavidBundren,forwhichexecutionmay &!! issue,ifnecessary. '""  8   `     h   0  _____________________________8@l    @l  @l  @l  @l  @l  @l  *g%$  SHARONG.LEE,JUDGE #uXXGc#