What standard does the civil trial apply to determine felonious and intentional killing for slayer rule purposes?

• A. Beyond a reasonable doubt
• B. Clear and convincing evidence
• C. Preponderance of the evidence
• D. Probable cause

Answer: (C)

In civil matters, the standard of proof is a preponderance of the evidence. This means the court asks whether the evidence shows it is more likely than not that the killing was felonious and intentional, which would trigger the Slayer Rule in inheritance proceedings. Because this is a civil proceeding—often part of probate or family inheritance—the burden is lower than in criminal cases, which require beyond a reasonable doubt. The other standards don’t fit this context: beyond a reasonable doubt is a criminal standard; clear and convincing is a stricter civil standard used in certain situations but not the default for Slayer Rule issues; and probable cause is about initiating a case, not proving a fact in civil adjudication.