To establish fraud in a will contest, which of the following must be shown?

• A. The proponent knowingly made a false statement
• B. The decedent was caused to execute the will by the false statement
• C. The disposition differed from what the decedent would have done absent the statement
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Fraud in a will contest requires proving three linked elements: a knowingly false statement about a material fact made by the proponent, reliance by the decedent induced by that statement leading to the execution of the will, and a disposition in the will that differs from what the decedent would have done absent the misrepresentation. All of these must be shown for fraud to be established, so the best answer is the one that encompasses each of these components. If any one piece is missing—no false statement, no inducement, or no change in the proposed disposition—the fraud claim cannot succeed.