Case Name:	David Snyder et al v Roger Snyder et al
Case Number:	ESPR011671
Date of Trial:	06/07/2021		Venue:	Fremont County
Casetype/Claims:	probate, will contest
Judge:	Jeffrey L. Larson
Plaintiff's Counsel:	David Richter and Matthew Woods		Defendant's Counsel:	John M. Lingelbach, James A. Tews and Minja F. Herian
Verdict:	For Defendants on Counterclaims, finding that decedent lacked testamentary capacity to execute the 2014v will and was subject to undue influence at the time of its execution. Plaintiffs claimed that decedent executed a 2014 will that superseded the 2010 will that was offered for probate. Defendants claimed that the decedent lacked testamentary capacity to execute the 2014 will and was subject to undue influence at the time she executed the 2014 will, and sought a declaratory judgment that the 2010 will was the last will and testament of the decedent
Demand Before Trial:
Offer Before Trial:
Statement of Case: Plaintiff David Snyder is a son of Harold and Martha Snyder. Defendant Roger L. Snyder is also a son of Harold and Martha Snyder. Plaintiffs Katherine Princehouse and Michael Snyder are David Snyder’s children and are the grandchildren of Harold and Martha Snyder. Defendants Shannon Snyder and Mindy Nelson are Roger Snyder’s children and are grandchildren of Harold and Martha Snyder. Harold Snyder died in 2009. Martha Snyder died on November 16, 2019. At issue in this case is whether Martha Snyder’s Last Will and Testament dated November 2, 2010 or the Last Will and Testament dated January 2, 2014 is the true and valid Last Will and Testament of Martha Snyder. The Plaintiffs assert that the Last Will and Testament executed on January 2, 2014 is the true Last Will and Testament while the Defendants assert that the Last Will and Testament executed by Martha Snyder on November 2, 2010 is the true Last Will and Testament. Defendants contend that the Last Will and Testament signed on January 2, 2014 is not the true Last Will and Testament of Martha Snyder because Defendants assert Martha Snyder lacked the necessary mental ability as defined by Iowa law to execute a valid Last Will and Testament and/or that Martha Snyder was unduly influenced as defined by Iowa law into executing the Last Will and Testament dated January 2, 2014. The Plaintiffs dispute the Defendants’ assertion that Martha lacked the necessary mental ability and dispute that Martha was unduly influenced in the signing of the Last Will and Testament dated January 2, 2014. The Plaintiffs further assert that Martha was unduly influenced in the making of the Last Will and Testament signed on November 2, 2010 Statement of Case Defendant: In this case plaintiffs claim there is a dispute between the Plaintiffs David Snyder, Katherine Princehouse and Michael Snyder (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) and Defendants Roger Snyder, Shannon Snyder and Mindy Nelson (collectively, the “Defendants”) regarding the validity of a Will executed by Martha E. Snyder on January 2, 2014 (the “Will”). David Snyder, the proponent of the Will, has filed the 2014 Will for probate. Roger Snyder contends: (i) that the Will was the product of undue influence; and (ii) that at the time of making of the Will, Martha E. Snyder lacked the testamentary capacity to execute the Will. You will be asked to determine the validity of the January 2, 2014 Will of Martha E. Snyder.
Injuries alleged:
Official Jury Verdict Form:
Snyder v Snyder verdict form.pdf
Documents of interest: (when available)
Return to Jury Verdict Reporter Database
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