Epstein’s Estate, Creditor Claims, and Florida Lawsuits
In August 2019, well-known financier Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in jail after being arrested on sex trafficking charges. According to an article in the SunSentinel, court documents suggest that Epstein’s estate is worth $559 million.
Florida probate lawyers know that, when there is such a large estate at play, estate battles and inheritance disputes are likely to occur. When people know that there is money to fight over, they usually fight. Potential creditors and beneficiaries hire inheritance litigators, like those at Pankauski Lazarus, to assist them.
In regards to the Epstein situation, it was definitely predictable that alleged victims of his sexual crimes would sue his estate. This is exactly what is now happening.
Creditor Claims in Florida
In Florida, the personal representative or executor of the estate will need to send out a Notice to Creditors. Under Florida Statute 733.702(1), creditors must file any statements of claim against a decedent’s estate within three months of the first publication of the notice to creditors or within thirty days of being served with it, whichever is later. Any claim not filed within that time is barred unless the court grants an extension.733.702(3), Florida Statutes(2012). Extensions can be granted “upon ground of fraud, estoppel, or insufficient notice of the claims period.”
Many lawsuits are being filed against Epstein’s massive estate by his alleged victims. The alleged victims who get a judgment in their favor against the estate will be paid before the beneficiaries of Epstein’s will can inherit.
Florida Lawsuit Against Epstein’s Estate
On December 30,2019, The New York Times and the SunSentinel, along with many other news outlets, reported that a woman has filed a Florida lawsuit against Epstein’s estate for coercion, inflicting emotional distress and battery. This woman says she had a sexual encounter with Epstein at his Florida mansion when she was only 14 years old. The article explains that this woman is one of over a dozen women suing Epstein’s estate. You may want to read this recent article to learn more about these estate lawsuits.
If you believe you are a creditor of a Florida estate, or if you wish to sue an estate, you should consider interviewing a West Palm Beach probate lawyer who can advise you as to what your rights are. To interview Florida probate litigator John Pankauski,call (561)514-0900 ext.101.