In Re Estate of Christopherson

1 This case has previously been before this court. Bell v. Neugart, 2002 WI App 180, 256 Wis. 2d 969, 650 N.W.2d 52. The case centers on a dispute over two bank accounts of the deceased June Ann Christopherson. Id., 1. The accounts were in the names of Christopherson and Mae Neugart, Christophersons sister, and are worth about $70,000. Joan Jameson and Leonard Kosobud, children of a deceased sibling of Christopherson (collectively, "the objectors"), sought to prove the accounts were joint accounts of convenience, rather than true joint accounts with the right of survivorship. The circuit court ruled that the joint accounts were true joint tenancy accounts. Id., 46. The objectors appealed and we reversed and remanded that part of the circuit courts decision based on evidentiary errors, among other things. Id., 2. After trial on remand, the circuit court ruled that Christopherson intended to create the joint accounts for her convenience in managing her financial affairs, rather than true joint tenancy accounts. Neugart is now deceased, so her estate appeals and the objectors cross-appeal. We affirm the circuit courts order on both the appeal and the cross-appeal.