Challenging Will Undue Influence

Summary

Cynthia Haines from Indiana is facing a probate dispute where her brothers are challenging their fathers will, alleging undue influence. They claim that Cynthia, who was their fathers caregiver, manipulated him into leaving most of his estate to her. The estate, including a house valued at $300,000, is currently in probate. Cynthias lawyer, Briane House, has not provided a timeline for the case but has stated that Cynthia has the stronger case. The brothers have not yet formally contested the will and have suggested mediation. Cynthia does not want to sell the house due to her disability and the fact that she has nowhere else to move.

Full Conversation

My brothers want to challenge my dad's will saying i had undue influence. The house is in probate. Dad willed most of it to me.
What state is the probate case in? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
Indiana
What evidence do your brothers have to support their claim of undue influence? In Indiana, challenging a will requires substantial proof.
They had no contact with dad the last year and a half of his life. He was angry at them for the way they were treating me and he told them to treat me right or else he would 'divorce" them. They think I manipulated dad into that mind set.
Do they have any witnesses or documents that support their claim of undue influence?
In Indiana, to prove undue influence, they must show:
- A susceptible testator
- Influencer's opportunity to exert influence
- Influencer had the disposition to influence
- A result showing the effect of such influence.
So far not that I can see. So far all the "proof" is accusation but with incorrect facts. Cherry picked words from a poem I wrote turning the meaning into oppisite than what the poem meant. Wrong dates. Mainly just the fact i was his caregiver and they say he was dependant on me but they exagerate the dependence and i have several witnesses to that. They claim he was bedridden when he changed his will and he absolutely was not. He chose the lawyers and they vetted him to make sure he was of sound mind before writing up the new will.
What is the name of the court where the probate case is being handled?
They claim they have other proof but have not submitted it.
What is the status of the probate case currently?
Pending due to them filing they may contest
What is the name of the lawyer handling your case? This information will help me provide more specific advice. In Indiana, undue influence claims require substantial proof.
Which lawyer? I can't read which lawyer as the text box covers up some words. There are * unvolved now. The probate Lawyer, their Lawyer and my Lawyer
I meant the lawyer who is representing you in this probate case. Could you please provide their name?
The probate lawyer is supposed to be impartial but is that what you mean?
No, I meant the lawyer who is representing you personally in this case. Could you please provide their name?
Briane House
What is the contact information of your lawyer, Briane House?
He just started. And so far has only consulted me and sent their lawyer a notice that i hired him. He is having his assistant contact some of my witnesses.
What is the current status of your case after your lawyer sent the notice to their lawyer?
Why do you need his contact info? I just hired him
I don't need your lawyer's contact information. I was just trying to understand your case better. Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Nothing. No one is talking to me.
I'm sorry to hear that, ****. It's important to maintain communication with your lawyer. Would you like advice on how to improve this communication?
Yes
To improve communication with your lawyer, you could:
- Schedule regular updates
- Ask for clarification if needed
- Be proactive and provide all necessary information
Is there anything else you need help with?
I have been waiting for * weeks to hear about how the communication with * witnesses are going. I spoke to one who said she was having trouble connecting with the paralegal. Then nothing. She does not respond to my texts asking if they ever connected. No update from my lawyer except a print out of the expense tally.
Have you tried reaching out to your lawyer, Briane House, directly about this communication issue with the witnesses?
Yes, he did not respond to my email and since he is working on the case at a reduced rate i didn't want to be too pushy.
What was the last communication you had with your lawyer, Briane House?
I cant read the last line of what you said the text box covers it up
I asked about the last communication you had with your lawyer, Briane House. Can you provide details on that?
The last time he comunicated with me was an email letting me know he had his paralegal contacting the witnesses and had sent my brothers lawyer a short note to let them know hecwas on the case. Then I recieved the receipt showing how m7ch money that i gave him and that it is in a trust and he used half of it. Which is fine and less than i expected.
What is the current status of your case after your lawyer contacted the witnesses and your brother's lawyer?
I can not see the last line again
What was the last update you received about the status of your case?
It is the same as before...no updates...probate still pending
What is the name of the court where the probate case is being handled?
Hancock county
What is the exact nature of the will's contents that your brothers are contesting?
Dad said i could stay in the house as long as I want but if i sold it i get *% and they each get *%.
What is the estimated value of the house?
$*,*
What is the timeline given by your lawyer, Briane House, for the next steps in your case?
In Indiana, the probate process can take 6 months to a year, sometimes longer if there are disputes.
Briane had not given me a time line and neither has the probate lawyer.
What steps has your lawyer, Briane House, mentioned about contesting your brothers' claim of undue influence?
Please can you type a line of periods after what you say? I can not read the last line of anything you type
Sure, I can do that. What steps has your lawyer, Briane House, mentioned about contesting your brothers' claim of undue influence?................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
He has not mentioned any more steps. Just that i have the stronger case.
What is the next step your lawyer, Briane House, has advised you to take in this case?
In Indiana, the burden of proof lies with the person contesting the will. They must provide substantial evidence to prove undue influence.
No next step. They have not submitted the formal contest yet just a letter asking for mediation but they made it clear they want to go back to the original will dividing it * ways and insisted that i sell the house no matter what
What is your stance on mediation and selling the house?
In Indiana, mediation can be a cost-effective way to resolve disputes. However, the decision to sell the house should align with your interests and the will's provisions.
I do not want to sell the house.
What are your reasons for not wanting to sell the house?
I AM disabled, have nowhere to move to and no one to help me move. I have Dad's dog and * cats that are all happy here.
I understand your situation. Have you discussed these concerns with your lawyer, Briane House?
Since my brothers treated me cruelly and lied to my other family members plus did not reach out to dad or i in any way the last year and a half of hisvlife I do not feel they should caim any thing more than what is privided for them in the will.
Have you communicated these feelings to your lawyer, Briane House, and how has he advised you to proceed?
Yes i have. He just said i have the stronger case.
What is the timeline given by your lawyer, Briane House, for the next steps in your case?
He has not provided any time line
What is the next step your lawyer, Briane House, has advised you to take in this case?
He has not provided any information as to the next step
Maybe * lines of periods?
What is the estimated timeline for the probate process in Indiana?
?
?
What is the estimated timeline for the probate process in Indiana? Generally, the probate process in Indiana can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, sometimes longer if there are disputes.
Yes it has been since July
What is the current status of the probate process?
In Indiana, the probate process can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, sometimes longer if there are disputes.
?
Pending from what i can see
What is the next step in the probate process according to your lawyer, Briane House?
In Indiana, the probate process can take 6 months to a year, sometimes longer if there are disputes.
No one has told me any next step
What is the timeline given by your lawyer, Briane House, for the next steps in your case?