Sibling battles sister over aunt's estate

A St. Clair County man claims his sister and brother-in-law coerced their elderly aunt suffering from dementia to modify her will and trust, allegedly robbing the plaintiff from his inheritance.

Roland Biehl filed a lawsuit on April 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Joseph and Diane Stock of St. Clair County, individually and as a trustee, alleging interference in a relative’s estate.

Biehl is the brother of Diane Stock, and on April 14, 2011, their aunt Sharon Hecke, a disabled adult, was diagnosed with dementia. According to the complaint, following the death of Sharon Hecke’s husband in February 2012, the defendants conspired to influence their aunt.

The suit says Sharon Hecke was coerced to sign documents on April 26, 2012, modifying her will and trust to name the Stocks’ eight children as sole beneficiaries. Biehl alleges their aunt had expressed her intention to bequeath her property equally to the plaintiff and his sister.

The plaintiff cites tortuous interference with inheritance expectancy and substantial damages as a result of the loss of his inheritance.

Biehl seeks a declaratory judgment to render the will and trust invalid and damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney fees and costs. He is represented by attorney Michael Garavalia of Flynn Guymon & Garavalia in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-222