In Re Johnson Estate

On August 27, 1980, the appellants filed a petition in the probate court seeking a determination of the rights of heirs to property held in joint ownership by Thelma Johnson, the deceased, and Kenneth Kitchen, Thelma’s nephew. The petition was amended on October 6, 1980, to allege that a confidential relationship had existed between Thelma Johnson and Kenneth Kitchen or Rosanna Kitchen, Kenneth’s mother. The petition further alleged that Kenneth or Rosanna Kitchen had exerted undue influence upon Thelma, which caused her to establish certain joint bank accounts. The petition also alleged that…