Linda Yoffe Solon v. Joseph Slater, et al

Case Background

The Plaintiff, Linda Yoffe Solon, filed the lawsuit on July 14, 2020, in the Connecticut State District Court of Stamford Division (Case number: FST-CV15-6026286-S). Judge Yamini Menon presided over the case.

Cause

Linda Solon met Michael Solon in 2011 when both were divorced. They began dating, and Michael proposed after two years of courtship. At the time, Linda owned her home and had a stable teaching career. To persuade Linda to marry him and sell her house, Michael promised to take care of her financially for life, including allowing her to live in his house at 49 Alexandra Drive, Stamford, CT if anything happened to him. He also promised to establish a fund to cover all bills related to the house. They signed a prenuptial agreement on May 22, 2013, and married the next day. Soon after, Michael realized the hastily drawn prenup was unfair and wanted to create a revised postnuptial agreement. He advised Linda to hire a top family attorney to draft a fair postnup.

In November 2013, Michael was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. His long-time personal lawyer Joseph Slater and son Joshua Solon allegedly used undue influence to get Michael to sign a will leaving everything to his adult children Joshua and Carley. Michael then wrote instructions for a new will or postnup to provide for Linda, including leaving her the house, an annuity, an E-Trade account, and cash. Between November 2013 and March 2014, Linda cared for Michael as his health declined. However, in February 2014, Slater and Joshua allegedly got Michael to sign another will and create a trust that excluded Linda as a beneficiary. On March 13, 2014, they allegedly forcibly removed Michael from his home while Linda was at work and kept him isolated from her until his death on April 19, 2014. Linda was only allowed to speak to Michael once during this time.

Injuries

Linda Solon suffered severe emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of sleep, grief, shame, humiliation, embarrassment, anger, and fear because she was separated from her dying husband and excluded from his will and funeral arrangements. She experienced trauma when a third party informed her of his death days after he passed away, while she remained uninformed of his condition and whereabouts. The complaint alleges Linda’s emotional distress was severe enough to result in illness or bodily harm.

Damages

Linda Solon claimed she was deprived of assets Michael intended to leave her, including their $850,000 house, $100,000 from an E-Trade account, a $240,500 annuity, $100,000 from a bank account, and Michael’s $5 million ownership stake in a company. The total claimed damages exceeded $6 million. She also sought actual damages, pain and suffering, punitive damages, interest, costs, and attorney’s fees.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s):Linda Yoffe Solon
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Eric D. Grayson, Esq
  • Defendant(s):Joseph Slater | Joshua Solon
    • Counsel for Defendants: John W. Cannavino| David T. Martin 

Claims

Linda Solon filed the following claims against Joseph Slater and Joshua Solon:

  1. Tortious interference with contractual relations – alleging they interfered with the creation of a postnuptial agreement that would have provided for Linda financially.
  2. Tortious interference with right of inheritance – claiming they interfered with Michael’s execution of a will that would have left substantial assets to Linda.
  3. Intentional infliction of emotional distress – asserting their conduct in isolating Michael and excluding Linda was extreme and outrageous.
  4. Negligent infliction of emotional distress – alleging their actions created an unreasonable risk of causing Linda severe emotional distress.
  5. Negligence – claiming they breached their duty of care to Linda

Defense

The defense argued that the plaintiff’s claims were barred by the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel. They contended that the plaintiff had already litigated these issues in probate court. In that court, it was determined that the plaintiff had no right to the assets of Michael Solon’s estate beyond what was stipulated in the prenuptial agreement. The probate court had ruled that the will was valid and not influenced by undue influence.

Additionally, the defense claimed that the plaintiff had waived her rights to any additional claims against the estate by signing the prenuptial agreement. This agreement, according to the defense, clearly outlined the plaintiff’s inheritance rights and provided for her accordingly. They asserted that the plaintiff had received everything she was entitled to under the terms of this agreement.

Furthermore, the defense maintained that there was no basis for the plaintiff’s allegations of fraud and undue influence. They insisted that the probate court’s previous findings were conclusive and should prevent the plaintiff from relitigating these issues.

Finally, the defense contended that the plaintiff’s claims were not only legally barred but also lacked merit. They argued that the plaintiff had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support her allegations, and that the facts of the case did not substantiate her claims of fraud, undue influence, or breach of fiduciary duty. The defense sought to have the case dismissed on these grounds, emphasizing the finality of the probate court’s rulings and the binding nature of the prenuptial agreement.

Jury Verdict

On March 27, 2024, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of the defendants, Joseph M. Slater and Joshua Solon.

Court Documents:

Complaint

Answer

Jury Verdict