Trusts and Estates — undue influence

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Wisconsin Court of Appeals

Civil

Trusts and Estates — undue influence

Anne Beard and Gregory Wenkman, pro se, appeal an order that admitted the will of their deceased father, William Wenkman, into probate. Anne and Gregory had challenged the will based on allegations that one of their siblings, Marcia Thompson, unduly influenced their father into drafting a new will in her favor.

In their separately filed briefs, Anne and Gregory raise numerous complaints about the circuit court proceedings in this matter, and their statements of issues group these claims together into identical formulations of three omnibus claims: (1) the circuit court did not “‘apply the law to the facts of the case’”; (2) the circuit court was biased in favor of Marcia and did not provide them with “a fair and impartial trial, with equal justice and due process of law under the Constitution”; and (3) the circuit court did not “consider or accept ‘all’ ‘the controversy’ and ‘relevant-evidence,’ both direct and circumstantial, to this case.” Anne’s and Gregory’s rambling briefs fail, however, to develop for any of their claims coherent arguments that apply relevant legal authority to the facts of record, and instead rely largely upon conclusory assertions to demand relief.

Accordingly, we affirm the order admitting William Wenkman’s will into probate. This opinion will not be published.

2012AP2096 In re the estate of William G. Wenkman: Beard, et al. v. Estate of William G. Wenkman, et al.

Dist IV, Juneau County, Wright, J., Per Curiam

Attorneys: For Appellant: Beard, Anne, pro se; Wenkman, Gregory, pro se; For Respondent: Hollenbeck, Fred D., III, Mauston