The following excerpt is from In the Matter of Katz, 2007 NY Slip Op 51184(U) (N.Y. Surr. Ct. 6/12/2007), 2007 NY Slip Op 51184 (N.Y. Surr. Ct. 2007):
The objectant also bears the burden of proving fraud (Matter of Schillinger, 258 NY 186, 190 [1932]; Matter of Beneway, 272 AD 463, 468 [3d Dept 1947]). It must be shown that "the proponent knowingly made a false statement that caused decedent to execute a will that disposed of [her] property in a manner different from the disposition [she] would have made in the absence of that statement" (Matter of Clapper, 279 AD2d 730, 732 [3d Dept 2001]). Moreover, a finding of fraud must be supported by clear and convincing evidence (Simcusky v. Saeli, 44 NY2d 442, 452 [1978]). In order to defeat the motion for summary judgment on the issue of fraud, the objectant must come forward with more than "mere conclusory allegations and
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