{ "id": 2889464, "name": "In re ESTATE OF CHESTER MOCNY, Deceased (Joan Mocny, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Sharon Schipiour et al., Respondents-Appellees)", "name_abbreviation": "Mocny v. Schipiour", "decision_date": "1993-12-29", "docket_number": "Nos. 1\u201491\u20141034, 1\u201492\u20141990 cons.", "first_page": "291", "last_page": "299", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "257 Ill. App. 3d 291" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "54 Ill. 2d 532", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2934685 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/54/0532-01" ] }, { "cite": "425 N.E.2d 1187", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "99 Ill. App. 3d 493", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3099760 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/99/0493-01" ] }, { "cite": "579 N.E.2d 963", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "219 Ill. App. 3d 448", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5799809 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "458-59" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/219/0448-01" ] }, { "cite": "603 N.E.2d 37", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "236 Ill. App. 3d 630", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5782036 ], "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/236/0630-01" ] }, { "cite": "185 N.E.2d 850", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "855" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "26 Ill. 2d 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5355116 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "69-71" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/26/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "401 N.E.2d 1229", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1231" }, { "page": "1231" }, { "page": "1234" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "81 Ill. App. 3d 1128", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3229053 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1130" }, { "page": "1130" }, { "page": "1133-34" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/81/1128-01" ] }, { "cite": "383 N.E.2d 185", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 17, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "192" }, { "page": "192" }, { "page": "195" }, { "page": "195" }, { "page": "192-93" }, { "page": "192-93" }, { "page": "193" }, { "page": "193" }, { "page": "193" }, { "page": "194" }, { "page": "194" }, { "page": "197" }, { "page": "197" }, { "page": "189-90" }, { "page": "190" }, { "page": "197" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "73 Ill. 2d 342", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5440660 ], "weight": 17, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "357" }, { "page": "357" }, { "page": "364" }, { "page": "364" }, { "page": "359" }, { "page": "359" }, { "page": "359" }, { "page": "359" }, { "page": "359-60" }, { "page": "361" }, { "page": "361" }, { "page": "368" }, { "page": "369" }, { "page": "352-53" }, { "page": "353" }, { "page": "369" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/73/0342-01" ] }, { "cite": "349 N.E.2d 668", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "672" }, { "page": "673" }, { "page": "673" }, { "page": "672" }, { "page": "675" }, { "page": "675" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "39 Ill. App. 3d 394", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5380039 ], "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "398" }, { "page": "398" }, { "page": "398" }, { "page": "398" }, { "page": "402" }, { "page": "402" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/39/0394-01" ] }, { "cite": "591 N.E.2d 115", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "227 Ill. App. 3d 1030", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5794822 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/227/1030-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 752, "char_count": 18065, "ocr_confidence": 0.769, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.4108233727415505e-07, "percentile": 0.6469172527046944 }, "sha256": "59cd1d0e1f5dd07feb7108c2d3fbc69eea00c19e9f153dd5ea8b4245649591b5", "simhash": "1:0136b6307732ec51", "word_count": 2987 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:49:13.043500+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "In re ESTATE OF CHESTER MOCNY, Deceased (Joan Mocny, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Sharon Schipiour et al, Respondents-Appellees)." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE RIZZI\ndelivered the opinion of the court;\nThis is a consolidated appeal from separate orders of dismissal entered by the trial courts in the probate and law divisions of the circuit court of Cook County. We affirm. We address the appeal emanating from the probate division first.\nPetitioner, Joan Mocny, brought a petition for recovery citation in the probate division against her deceased husband\u2019s three children. Her proposed fourth amended petition alleged that her deceased husband and his three children have defrauded her of her marital right as a surviving spouse to share in his estate. The trial court, however, dismissed petitioner\u2019s first four petitions and denied petitioner leave to file a fourth amended petition, ruling that petitioner failed to allege sufficient facts to state a cause of action. When petitioner elected to stand on her proposed fourth amended petition, the trial court dismissed the petition with prejudice. Petitioner now appeals, arguing that her fourth amended petition contained sufficient facts to state a cause of action for \"fraud on a marital right.\u201d We disagree and affirm the ruling of the trial court.\nOn appeal from a dismissal for failure to state a cause of action, our sole task is to determine whether the allegations of the petition or complaint, when viewed in the light most favorable to the complainant, are sufficient to state a cause of action for which relief may be had. (Dee v. Peters (1992), 227 Ill. App. 3d 1030, 591 N.E.2d 115.) Petitioner alleged the following facts which for the purpose of our review are accepted as true.\nOn September 24, 1986, Chester Mocny died testate. Surviving him were his second wife, Joan Mocny, and his three children from his first marriage, Sharon Schipiour (Sharon), Lynda Dillon (Lynda) and Warren Mocny (Warren). Decedent\u2019s will provided that upon his death one-half of his estate shall go to his second wife, Joan Mocny, and the remaining one-half shall go to his three children in equal shares. The will was admitted to probate. At the time of decedent\u2019s death, however, there were no assets in his estate.\nSometime during decedent\u2019s life, he transferred three bank accounts, over which he previously had enjoyed sole ownership, into joint tenancy with himself and his two daughters. Decedent, however, did not name his son, Warren, as a joint tenant on any of the accounts. Petitioner was unaware of the existence of the original accounts and of the subsequent transfers.\nUpon decedent\u2019s death, the bank accounts passed directly to his daughters due to their right of survivorship as joint tenants. These bank accounts, therefore, were not included in decedent\u2019s estate. Additionally, it appears from the petition that at least one of the children was a named beneficiary of a life insurance policy insuring decedent\u2019s life. When decedent died, these proceeds were paid to one or more of his children. As such, these proceeds were not included in decedent\u2019s estate either. There were also other assets in which decedent had an ownership interest during his life, including real estate in Wisconsin that passed directly to one or more of his children upon his death. These assets were not included in decedent\u2019s estate either.\nSometime prior to his death, decedent orally instructed Sharon to distribute on his death the above assets equally among herself and her two siblings. After decedent\u2019s death, Sharon, Lynda and Warren divided the bank accounts, life insurance proceeds and other assets equally among themselves.\nIn sum, petitioner alleges that through various inter vivos transfers, totaling $50,000, decedent arranged that upon his death his estate would contain no assets. With no assets in the estate, there was nothing to distribute under the will or pursuant to statute. Petitioner alleged that the various inter vivos transfers defrauded her of her marital right to share in decedent\u2019s estate, and sought to recover all assets divided pursuant to decedent\u2019s oral instructions.\nThe issue before us is whether petitioner has pleaded sufficient facts to state a cause of action for what has been misleadingly termed \"a fraud on a marital right.\u201d Misleadingly, because fraud is not an element of this cause of action. We, therefore, begin with an examination of this creature of the law known as \"a fraud on a marital right.\u201d\nThe marital right in question is the right of a surviving spouse to share in the estate of his or her deceased spouse. This right was created by statute which provides, in relevant part:\n\"5/2 \u2014 8. Renunciation of will by spouse\n\u00a7 2 \u2014 8. Renunciation of will by spouse, (a) If a will renounced by the testator\u2019s surviving spouse, whether or not the will contains any provision for the benefit of the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse is entitled to the following share of the testator\u2019s estate after payment of all just claims: V3 of the entire estate if the testator leaves a descendant or 1/z of the entire estate if the testator leaves no descendant.\u201d (755 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 8 (West 1992).)\nIt should be noted that prior to the testator\u2019s death, the spouse possesses absolutely no claim with respect to this statute against any of the testator\u2019s individually held assets. Prior to the death of the testator, the spouse\u2019s interest exists only as an expectancy. Toman v. Svoboda (1976), 39 Ill. App. 3d 394, 398, 349 N.E.2d 668, 672.\nThe paramount rule, therefore, grants an owner of property the absolute right to dispose of his property during his lifetime in any manner he sees fit. (Johnson v. La Grange State Bank (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 342, 357, 383 N.E.2d 185, 192; Payne v. River Forest State Bank & Trust Co. (1980), 81 Ill. App. 3d 1128, 1130, 401 N.E.2d 1229, 1231; Toman, 39 Ill. App. 3d at 398, 349 N.E.2d at 673.) A property owner may even transfer property with the expressed intent of minimizing or defeating the statutory marital interest of his or her spouse to share in the property owner\u2019s estate. (Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 357, 383 N.E.2d at 192; Payne, 81 Ill. App. 3d at 1130, 401 N.E.2d at 1231; Toman, 39 Ill. App. 3d at 398, 349 N.E.2d at 673.) The proposition that a property owner may intentionally defeat this statutory interest was plainly articulated by the court in Toman:\n\"[T]he owner and now deceased spouse may completely defeat the statutory marital right of the surviving spouse simply by arranging not to be the owner of any property at the date of his or her death by reason of having made real *** inter vivos donative transfers of all of his or her own property to persons other than the surviving spouse. Nor does the statutory marital right *** impose any duty on the owner spouse to deal with his or her property during the lifetime of both spouses in what might be regarded as a normal or reasonable course of dealing with one\u2019s own property.\u201d Toman, 39 Ill. App. 3d at 398, 349 N.E.2d at 672.\nWhen a property owner dies, however, this once absolute right is tempered by the statutory marital right of the surviving spouse. (See 755 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 8 (West 1992).) Moreover, because a surviving spouse can renounce the testator\u2019s will and take pursuant to the applicable statutory share, this interest cannot be defeated by the decedent\u2019s will. (See 755 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 8 (West 1992).) Even if a testator wills his or her entire estate to a person other than his or her spouse, the spouse acquires a one-half or a one-third share in the testator\u2019s estate. (See 755 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 8 (West 1992).) Thus, the statute prevents a deceased property owner from doing by will what he or she was previously able to do during his or her lifetime via a valid inter vivos transfer, i.e., defeat the marital interest of the surviving spouse.\nParticular facts, however, may show that an otherwise valid inter vivos transfer was in actuality a sham transaction and essentially a disposition by will. (Johnson v. La Grange State Bank (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 342, 364, 383 N.E.2d 185, 195.) Such a transfer, akin to a disposition by will, is invalid to defeat the statutory marital right of the surviving spouse. (Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 364, 383 N.E.2d at 195.) The assets transferred in this manner are instead considered part of the decedent\u2019s estate and are subject to the statutory marital right of the surviving spouse.\nThe Illinois General Assembly set forth the applicable test for determining when an inter vivos transfer is invalid to defeat the marital right of the surviving spouse. The pertinent statute provides:\n\"25/1. Lifetime transfer of property with retained powers or rights \u2014 Validity\n\u00a7 1. An otherwise valid transfer of property, in trust or otherwise, by a decedent during his or her lifetime, shall not, in the absence of an intent to defraud, be invalid, in whole or in part, on the ground that it is illusory because the deceased retained any power or right with respect to the property.\n25/2. Effective date \u2014 Application of Act \u00a7 2. This Act takes effect upon becoming a law and applies to savings account trusts established on or after its effective date, and as to all other transfers this Act is declaratory of existing law.\u201d (Emphasis added.) (755 ILCS 25/1, 2 (West 1992).)\nThus, in order to successfully challenge an inter vivos transfer, a party must show intent to defraud.\nFraud in this context, however, bears little resemblance to the traditional common law fraud, which requires a material misstate-merit, inducement and reliance. Many courts have noted the resulting confusion, including the Illinois Supreme Court in Johnson v. La Grange State Bank (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 342, 359, 383 N.E.2d 185, 192-93. Unfortunately, this misleading nomenclature, which was a product of common law, found its way into the statutory language when the Illinois General Assembly enacted the statute which to a large extent codified existing case law. Furthermore, as seen below, the cause of action focuses not on fraud, but on present donative intent. Properly stated, the cause of action before us is not one for fraud, but one for illegally defeating a marital right.\nIn the present context, intent to defraud as interpreted by the Illinois Supreme Court refers to a transfer that is illusory or colorable. (Johnson v. La Grange State Bank (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 342, 359, 383 N.E.2d 185, 192-93.) A transfer which is illusory is one which takes back all that it gives. (Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 359, 383 N.E.2d at 193.) A transfer which is colorable is one which appears absolute on its face but due to some tacit or secret understanding between the transferor and the transferee is in fact not a transfer because the parties intended that ownership be retained by the transferor. (Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 359, 383 N.E.2d at 193.) In either case, the question is really whether there was present donative intent or, instead, the intent to retain complete ownership. Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 359-60, 383 N.E.2d at 193.\nWhere present donative intent exists, the transfer is valid and effective to defeat the marital interest. (Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 361, 383 N.E.2d at 194.) Where present donative intent is absent, the transfer is treated as a disposition by will and is not effective to defeat the marital interest. Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 361, 383 N.E.2d at 194.\nMoreover, where decedent transferred assets into joint tenancy, there is a presumption of present donative intent. (Johnson v. La Grange State Bank (1978), 73 Ill. 2d 342, 368, 383 N.E.2d 185, 197; Frey v. Wubbena (1962), 26 Ill. 2d 62, 69-71, 185 N.E.2d 850, 855.) This presumption can only be overcome by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. (Toman v. Svoboda (1976), 39 Ill. App. 3d 394, 402, 349 N.E.2d 668, 675.) And, only evidence that the transfer was made solely to establish a convenience account will constitute clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 369, 383 N.E.2d at 197; Toman, 39 Ill. App. 3d at 402, 349 N.E.2d at 675.\nA convenience account is an apparent joint account which the creator of an account established to enable another tenant to write checks from the account at the direction and for the benefit of the creator. In re Estate of Harms (1992), 236 Ill. App. 3d 630, 603 N.E.2d 37; In re Estate of Kaplan (1991), 219 Ill. App. 3d 448, 458-59, 579 N.E.2d 963. 969.\nTo state a claim, generally, for a cause of action based on invalidly defeating a marital right, a party must plead sufficient facts to show a transfer of assets and an absence of present donative intent accompanying that transfer. (Payne v. River Forest State Bank & Trust Co. (1980), 81 Ill. App. 3d 1128, 1133-34, 401 N.E.2d 1229, 1234.) And, where present donative intent is presumed, as in the case of a transfer into joint tenancy, a party must plead sufficient facts to overcome the presumption. Accordingly, a party must plead facts showing that the transfer was made solely to establish a convenience account.\nThe Illinois Supreme Court in Johnson v. La Grange State Bank confronted a situation similar to the present case. (Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d 342, 383 N.E.2d 185.) The Johnson opinion consolidated two cases. In the second case, Havey, the decedent, had transferred savings accounts into joint tenancy. Mrs. Havey had been married to her husband for 35 years. When she discovered she was terminally ill, she established joint savings accounts with her sister-in-law and created a joint tenancy in real estate with her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law, however, contributed no funds for the accounts or for the real estate. Moreover, her sister-in-law had no authority to withdraw any of the funds for her own use. Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 352-53, 383 N.E.2d at 189-90.\nWhen Mrs. Havey died testate, her estate contained only $4,000. Her husband brought an action against the sister-in-law alleging that he was fraudulently deprived of his marital right to share in the decedent\u2019s estate. The trial court upheld the transfers, ruling that sufficient donative intent existed to sustain the gift. The appellate court affirmed. Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 353, 383 N.E.2d at 190.\nThe supreme court affirmed the appellate court\u2019s decision, holding that the lack of the sister-in-law\u2019s authority to withdraw funds from the accounts did not demonstrate that the accounts were set up solely as a convenience account for Mrs. Havey. Johnson, 73 Ill. 2d at 369, 383 N.E.2d at 197.\nIn the present case, petitioner argues that decedent\u2019s oral instructions demonstrate that decedent lacked present donative intent when transferring the assets at issue. Rather, the decedent\u2019s intention, petitioner contends, was to have the assets divided three ways upon his death.\nAs to the transfer of the bank accounts, petitioner\u2019s argument ignores the presumption attendant to a transfer of assets into joint tenancy and what is necessary to overcome that presumption. Petitioner has failed to allege any facts that would support a finding that these accounts were set up solely for the convenience of decedent. The existence of decedent\u2019s oral instructions simply does not support a finding that the accounts were established to enable the daughters to write checks at the direction and for the benefit of decedent.\nFurthermore, the existence of decedent\u2019s oral instructions is insufficient to show an absence of present donative intent accompanying the transfer of the Wisconsin real estate. Petitioner did not address the crucial question of whether decedent retained complete control. This is particularly so where petitioner has failed to allege when property was transferred, to whom it was transferred and when the oral instructions were given.\nLastly, the proceeds of a life insurance policy are not vulnerable to being challenged in a cause of action for illegally defeating a marital right. Every life insurance policy is by its nature testamentary. Therefore, to make the proceeds of a life insurance policy susceptible to an attack for being essentially testamentary would divest all nonspouse beneficiaries in favor of the surviving spouse.\nPetitioner also filed a complaint in the law division entitled tortious interference with an expectancy. In this complaint petitioner alleged essentially the same facts as she did in her probate petition and they need not be repeated here. In order to state a cause of action for tortious interference with an expectancy, a party must allege facts showing (1) the existence of her expectancy; (2) that defendants intentionally interfered with her expectancy; (3) the interference involved conduct tortious in itself such as fraud, duress or undue influence; (4) that there is a reasonable certainty that expectation would have been realized; and (5) damages. Nemeth v. Banhalmi (1981), 99 Ill. App. 3d 493, 425 N.E.2d 1187.\nLacking most notably from petitioner\u2019s complaint are allegations that the interference involved tortious conduct in itself. Petitioner has failed to allege any facts to state a claim for fraud. While petitioner has alleged that defendants exercised undue influence over decedent, this allegation is conclusory and is unsupported by any allegation of fact. Furthermore, for the reasons stated above in the probate analysis, petitioner has failed to sufficiently plead a cause of action for illegally defeating a marital right. Finally, no other tortious conduct is alleged. Therefore, petitioner has failed to plead a necessary element of tortious interference with an expectancy.\nFor the foregoing reasons, the judgments of the circuit court in the probate and law divisions are affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nCERDA and GREIMAN, JJ., concur.\nA comparable marital right exists for the surviving spouse of an intestate decedent. See Montgomery v. Michaels (1973), 54 Ill. 2d 532.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE RIZZI" } ], "attorneys": [ "Mason D. Sullivan, of Chicago, for appellant.", "Williams & Marcus, Ltd., of Chicago (Michael Fries, of counsel), for ap-pellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "In re ESTATE OF CHESTER MOCNY, Deceased (Joan Mocny, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Sharon Schipiour et al, Respondents-Appellees).\nFirst District (3rd Division)\nNos. 1\u201491\u20141034, 1\u201492\u20141990 cons.\nOpinion filed December 29, 1993.\nRehearing denied January 28, 1994.\nMason D. Sullivan, of Chicago, for appellant.\nWilliams & Marcus, Ltd., of Chicago (Michael Fries, of counsel), for ap-pellees." }, "file_name": "0291-01", "first_page_order": 309, "last_page_order": 317 }