Winning at a Trust Trial : Palm Beach Probate Court Issues Final Judgment in Favor of Pankauski Trustee Clients
Victory at trial. The Pankauski Law Firm PLLC won a major victory at a fraud and conspiracy trial on October 11th. The firm trial team was led by John Pankauski and Allison Sabocik who prepared for and tried the case. On October 15, the probate court judge who oversaw the trial issued a final judgment in favor the firm’s trustee clients. The two successful clients who won at trial were an individual trustee of West Palm Beach, and a corporate trustee from Palm Beach Gardens. The firm successfully defended the Florida trustees against un-proven charges of fraud by a beneficiary and a co-trustee. The Florida trustees won on each and every count. In the probate court’s seven page final judgment, the probate judge made specific findings of fact and conclusions of Florida law from the trial which took place in the probate division in downtown West Palm Beach (main courthouse). In Palm Beach County, trust lawsuits are heard in the probate division by a probate judge who also oversees estate administration matters, probate, and probate lawsuits including objections to wills and estates. The probate judge ruled that the successful Florida trustee clients who testified were reliable and credible. The evidence put on by the Pankauski firm and its Florida trustee clients proved that there was no fraud. The court also left open an award of attorneys fees in favor of the successful Florida trustees. Defending trustee clients from un-proven allegations of fraud is an important part of any Florida probate litigation practice. While there are many excellent probate lawyers in Palm Beach County, from Jupiter, to Palm Beach Gardens, to Boynton, Delray and Boca Raton, only a handful of probate lawyers actually litigate and conduct trials and handle appeals. Involved in a probate, estate or trust dispute and need unbiased advice and legal representation? michelle@pankauskilawfirm.com Advocate hard. Litigate smart.