A South Australian Supreme Court judge has ordered mediation in the long-running dispute over the multimillion-dollar estate of Adelaide matriarch Florence Gemenis Polites, warning that the case could otherwise drag on into 2028.
Justice Anne Bampton made the order on Wednesday, 11 November, directing Adelaide property developer George Polites, his nephew Markas Salkanovic, George’s sons Marcus and Constantine Alexander Polites, and court-appointed estate administrator Sarah Hooper to attempt to resolve the matter through mediation.
Justice Bampton expressed concern about the mounting legal costs. No date for the mediation has yet been set.
The dispute
Mr Salkanovic, her grandson, is seeking a larger share of the estate and has challenged the way George Polites has handled its affairs. Mr Polites denies any wrongdoing and has previously challenged Ms Hooper’s appointment.
In October, Mr Polites won partial access to legal and financial records relating to allegations that his sons, from whom he is estranged, supported their cousin’s inheritance claim.
Three wills under scrutiny
Ms Hooper was appointed to investigate after concerns were raised about the estate’s financial position.
According to The Advertiser, she has asked the court for guidance on the validity of three wills, made in 1997, 1999 and 2001, including whether Mrs Polites had the mental capacity to make a will when the 2001 document was prepared.
Ms Hooper is also seeking around $220,000 from Mr Polites and companies under his control to cover the costs of her investigation.
None of the allegations has been tested in court.
Source: The Advertiser