Gribbon

I. INTRODUCTION

James Gribbon filed a probate petition seeking to invalidate two

revocable transfer on death deeds (TODs)1 executed by his mother, Muriel Alexis Fries (Decedent). Gribbon asserted the TODs were invalid on several grounds, including undue influence from his sister, Shalene Vosburgh. The trial court found in Vosburgh’s favor, leading to Gribbon’s current appeal. Gribbon argues the trial court misapplied undue influence law and improperly excluded testimony from an expert and percipient witness. Finding one harmless error in the exclusion of the expert’s general opinion and the remainder of Gribbon’s claims unconvincing, we affirm.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background Decedent was an alcoholic. For several months in 2017, Decedent was incarcerated for driving under the influence. During that time, Gribbon wrote numerous checks to himself from Decedent’s account. After a series of hospitalizations in 2018, Decedent was transferred to an outpatient hospice care facility. At that point, Decedent was not expected to live much longer. Gribbon disposed of all of Decedent’s personal property located in her apartment, and he sold Decedent’s beloved pet bird, Daisy.…