It is shocking what some people will do for money. As John Pankauski, managing partner at Pankauski Hauser PLLC, states in Pankauski Probate Litigation Guide: Top 10 Probate Mistakes Revealed, “your family is going to fight over your wealth: when you’re gone and – perhaps – while you’re still alive.” On January 26, 2017 The Olive Press reports that a Ukrainian lap dancer allegedly plotted the murder of her millionaire husband in order to inherit his wealth.Did her husband have a proper estate plan in place? Does his wife inherit under his will? Can his wife still inherit if she is found guilty of murdering him?

When is it justified to disqualify an inheritance lawyer from representing someone in a particular probate matter? What is a conflict of interest? If a lawyer tells a lawyer from another firm about the facts and strategies of a case, can the lawyer from the other firm now, knowing the inside strategies, represent the opposing party in that same matter? If a lawyer drafted the document, which is the subject of the litigation, should they be disqualified?

In their latest edition, Palm Beach Illustrated lists Pankauski Hauser partner Robert J. Hauser as a “Top Lawyer” in appellate practice.  This list consists of qualifying Palm Beach County attorneys who received the highest number of votes from other attorneys who were asked what attorney they would recommend other than themselves . Only sixteen Palm Beach County attorneys are listed in the field of appellate practice.

by Robert Hauser, Esq. Most of us believe that the South Florida Fair is a secure place to go for both children and adults.  But in reality, the state-created corporation that controls and operates the South Florida Fair has diminished incentives to concern itself with public safety, as Widley Joseph recently learned in his lawsuit against the South Florida Fair. 

The firm is very pleased to welcome Jason Lazarus, Esq., who recently joined Pankauski Hauser PLLC as a partner. 

What is the doctrine of forum non conveniens? When can the doctrine of forum non conveniens be useful in your Florida probate lawsuit? What should my West Palm Beach estate lawyer know about the doctrine of forum non conveniens? A recent July 26,2017 Fourth DCA opinion revolves around a motion to transfer for improper venue or forum non conveniens.

On September 7, 2018, CNN reported that renowned actor Burt Reynolds had passed away. He was 82 years old.  Did he have a will or a proper estate plan in place? Which probate litigation or estate law firm will handle the probate process for his estate? Who will inherit from his estate?  Because Reynolds did not die in Florida, his estate will probably not be handled by a Florida probate lawyer. However, estate attorneys will be hired to get the beneficiaries of his estate their inheritances. 

Can you file a motion to have a trust and estates lawsuit moved to a different venue? Can you ask the probate court to transfer venue from one county to another? If a venue is inconvenient for the parties and witnesses, what can you do? What should your West Palm Beach trust lawyer know about the doctrine of non conviens? What if you sue someone from out of state or from a different city? Probate attorneys know that, if you sue someone who lives out of the state or country, they may argue that the Florida court lacks personal jurisdiction over them, or that, another state is more convenient for litigation. Can you really have a trust and estates lawsuit dismissed based upon “convenience?” A July 26, 2017 Fourth DCA opinion thoroughly discusses the doctrine of forum non conveniens and a motion to transfer venue to a different county within Florida.

Can the Florida probate court probate a lost will? Florida probate attorneys may be able to probate a lost will but do you know how? This is where getting an experienced probate litigation attorney pays off. Want to learn more? Check out this recent foreclosure case dealing with a lost note! What does this have to do with Florida probate litigation?

In a recent case filed this year the Supreme Court of Alabama said that in order to toll the statute of limitations on estate contests the petitioner would have to prove fraud. What does it mean to prove fraud and is that the rule for Florida probate litigation? What do you need to know before you talk to a Florida will contest lawyer?