Nature of the Case
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Facts
Stouff (D) and Oaks were in a romantic relationship for over twenty-three years. They never married, but they lived together for approximately ten years-from 2008 until Oaks' death. Oaks had been divorced twice and had an adult daughter, Cheri Wardell (P), who was not D's offspring. Oaks and P did not have a 'close relationship' and were 'estranged for many years' prior to Oaks' death. Oaks fatally shot himself in the head in the home he shared with D, while D was asleep upstairs. D woke when she heard a loud bang, and found two handwritten notes on a table. The first note read:
3-7-18
Lynne Stouff has been my companion and my crutch for a long while.
As I leave this existence I want all worldly belongings to be assigned to Lynne.
David Oaks
The second note read:
Lynne-
This is all I can go with this-Thank you for being there for me all these years.
I love you.
Oaks died intestate. Oaks died unmarried and that P was his only child. Under intestate succession, his estate would normally pass to P. P filed a formal administration. D filed several claims against the Estate. D contended she was entitled to Oaks' entire estate under the doctrine of gift causa mortis. P denied D's claim. Both parties moved for summary judgment. The court determined D had established each of the elements of a gift causa mortis, and she was therefore entitled to the entirety of Oaks' estate. P appealed.
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