In re the Estate of Fiumara

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with costs against the appellant.

In the absence of evidence of a substantial nature inconsistent with any inference to the contrary, the Surrogate properly refused to submit the undue influence claim to the jury (see Matter of Walther, 6 NY2d 49). While the circumstantial evidence adduced at trial may have tended to indicate the existence of an opportunity and a motive on the part of the proponent to exercise undue influence, there was no showing that it in fact was ever exercised. Standing alone, the fact…