Latest news with #legaldispute
Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Jimmy Buffett's widow accuses financial adviser of breaching fiduciary duty in $275M trust battle
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jimmy Buffett 's widow has accused her late husband's financial adviser of failing to administer the singer's multimillion-dollar trust in good faith and ignoring what she believed were her best interests for the $275 million estate. Jane Buffett on Monday asked a judge in West Palm Beach, Florida, to stop Richard Mozenter from trying to remove her as a trustee and instead sought an order removing him from overseeing the estate, according to court papers.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ex-wife of super rich equity boss was fighting her celebrity antiques dealer fiance for their £2.7m 18th century London home when she fell to her death from tower block
A mother who fell to her death from a city centre apartment block was embroiled in a bitter legal fight with her celebrity antiques dealer fiancé over their £2.7million London home. Rachel O'Hare, 49, was suing her ex-lover Owen Pacey, 60, for ownership of the five-storey Georgian mansion, in the trendy area of Spitalfields, before she died. According to court documents seen by the Mail, she claims she paid for the property and it was rightfully hers. Ms O'Hare alleged that Mr Pacey, a former squatter and self-made antique fireplace expert who counts Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Kate Winslet and Orlando Bloom among his clients, had locked her out of the luxury home. She says he stopped her from collecting her belongings, refused to pay any bills and threatened to 'trash' the interior, which is packed with beautiful artwork, ornate Italian chandeliers and expensive designer furniture. The couple, who split acrimoniously in May last year, were due to go head to head over the property at a High Court trial in the next few months. But just four days after the most recent hearing in the case, at Leeds Combined Court, on June 26, Ms O'Hare was found dead. The exact details of what happened during the costs and case management hearing are unknown, but on June 30 her body was discovered on the pavement next to an apartment complex, in Manchester city centre, where she was living. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances and an inquest into her death is due to open next week. In a statement to the court, Ms O'Hare claimed Mr Pacey persuaded her to buy the elegant 18th Century house, in Wilkes Street, east London, in their joint names, in June 2021. She took out a loan and also used the proceeds of her divorce settlement from ex-husband, Steve O'Hare, 50, a Cheshire-based millionaire investment manager, with whom she had three teenage children, to pay for it. At that time, she and Mr Pacey had been together for less than a year following a whirlwind romance after meeting at his high-end fireplace showroom, Renaissance, which is based in a former Victorian pub, in Shoreditch, east London. Legal papers seen by MailOnline show that when the former couple bought the house together in 2021, they both signed an agreement specifying that if one of them were to die, ownership of the house would pass to the surviving partner The documents, drawn up by the solicitors who had handled the purchase of the historic Spitalfields house, had offered Mr Pacey and Ms O'Hare two options: they could either each own a specified proportion of the whole property or they could jointly own the whole with full ownership reverting to the surviving partner if the other predeceased them. Because they chase the latter option, the documents, signed on 1st August 2021, mean Owen Pacey became the sole owner of the £2.7 million 18th property in London following Rachel O'Hare's sudden death. In a newspaper interview while they were still a couple, Mr Pacey claimed it was love at first sight when they first met. 'She bought a table,' he said. 'That was it, as soon as I saw her.' Ms O'Hare said Mr Pacey, who was brought up in a council flat in gritty Bethnal Green and left school at 14 with no qualifications, promised to pay her his share of the four-bedroomed property within two years, once he had sold the £1.2million maisonette above the shop that he owned. 'The first defendant (Mr Pacey) said he had no money to contribute when the property was purchased but would be able to pay the claimant for his share in due course,' legal documents said. To give her peace of mind, Ms O'Hare said Mr Pacey also agreed to put half of his fireplace business, worth around £5million, in her name until he secured the monies. She also claimed they agreed to share the cost of renovating the house – they spent £14,000 on radiator valves alone – and, if he didn't pay his share or they split, it would revert back to her ownership. Mr Pacey gave her paperwork to sign, which persuaded her he was arranging the legal formalities, and also sent her reassuring texts, saying: 'You are on the title deed either of the flat or shop,' she said. Steve O'Hare (left) is co-managing partner of Equistone Partners Europe. Tributes have poured in for Rachel (right) who co-founded a charity for victims of domestic violence Shortly before Christmas, in 2022, the couple got engaged and Mr Pacey did 'gift' Ms O'Hare a 50 per cent share in the three-bedroomed maisonette. He moved into the newly renovated Wilkes Street property and told a journalist: 'I used to dream about living in Spitalfields. To actually live there now – I've never been so happy.' But Ms O'Hare remained in Mere, Cheshire, with her three school-age children and 10 months later, in October 2023, the couple's 'turbulent' relationship started hitting the rocks. Ms O'Hare discovered Mr Pacey had never formalised her 50 per cent stake in his business and they began arguing regularly over money. She claimed she had ended up paying the lion's share of the house refurbishment when he failed to pay builders' fees. She also alleged Mr Pacey was 'controlling' and instructed lawyers to begin legal action against him. 'The relationship between the claimant (Ms O'Hare) and the first defendant (Mr Pacey) was turbulent,' Ms O'Hare's claim said. 'Incidents led to temporary separations and there was a final and unequivocal parting in May 2024. 'The claimant contends that the cause of the breakdowns was the first defendant's controlling and abusive behaviour, which led to the involvement of the police.' In a defence statement also submitted to the court, Mr Pacey denied persuading Ms O'Hare, a respected fundraiser who set up a domestic abuse charity providing toiletries for women living in refuges, to buy the house in their joint names. He said she did so because they were 'in love' and there was no discussion or agreement about him eventually paying for half of the house or transferring over 50 per cent of his business. 'The parties (Ms O'Hare and Mr Pacey) were going to get married and there was just no discussion about who owned what,' his defence document said. Mr Pacey, who once described being made homeless and forced to live in a squat in King's Cross after having his first flat repossessed in the 1980s as the 'most traumatic thing I've ever been through,' also denied being controlling. He said they had only argued seriously twice - both times when Ms O'Hare had been drunk, in Rye, Kent, in the summer of 2023 and the night before they were departing to New York in May 2024. He also denied not allowing Ms O'Hare access to the property, now estimated to be worth in excess of £3.2m, or not paying bills or threatening to trash it. He claimed he paid £70,000 towards the house renovation and provided most of the furniture from his shop. He had also installed six Italian marble fireplaces, worth £350,000, and claimed Ms O'Hare had organised glossy magazine features to show off and promote the 2,700sq ft house, which they planned to rent out for use in £1,000-a-day photo shoots. According to his statement, dated February this year, he wanted to get the maisonette and the Georgian home valued, so that he could buy her out of both properties. When approached by the Mail, Mr Pacey refused to discuss his legal dispute with his former fiancee except to say: 'I worshipped the ground Rachel walked on.' He added that Ms O'Hare had been suffering from poor mental health in the weeks leading up to her death and had recently been treated in hospital. Mr Pacey said: 'I'm suffering with my own mental health. I don't want to be here without her.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Florida women face jail, legal debt and foreclosure after minor HOA violations — has their HOA gone too far?
Just days after a Florida woman spent a week behind bars over a dispute with her homeowners association (HOA), she's now at risk of losing her home altogether. And she's not alone. Irena Green, who was jailed for seven days over seemingly minor infractions like dry grass, a dented garage door, and a dirty mailbox, is now facing foreclosure from her HOA. Her story, which began as a lawn care complaint in the Creek View neighborhood near Tampa, has ignited widespread outrage over how far HOAs can go. But now, other Creek View residents are coming forward, claiming they too are being targeted and overwhelmed, not by unpaid mortgages, but by mounting HOA legal fees. 'I said what foreclosure?' Homeowner Shonia Cruz Munoz said to local outlet ABC Action News, who says she was blindsided by a lawsuit over the color of her home's paint. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it A growing number of HOA battles — and rising legal bills At the heart of the dispute is how Creek View's HOA board has enforced its 67 pages of rules and regulations covering everything from trash bins to lawn care. Homeowners say the HOA has outsourced enforcement to a property manager and a law firm that are relentless in cracking down on even the smallest violations. Green's case began with notices about her lawn. Then came complaints about a commercial van in her driveway. She tried to address the issues but missed a court date she says she was never properly notified about, and ended up in jail for contempt of court. Now, she's facing foreclosure over unpaid HOA dues and, more critically, legal fees. A February court filing showed Green owed $12,295, with $9,400 of that being attorney fees. On top of that, she still owes $3,300 in a separate HOA case. 'They locked me out of the account. I was reaching out to them' Green said, adding that she'd lost her job while caring for her sick mother. Neighbor Shonia Cruz's story follows a similar arc: a dispute over faded paint escalated into a legal battle, even after she repainted her home and tried to follow instructions. She claims to have painted her house three times since 2015. 'Nobody paints their house that many times.' Eventually, Shonia agreed to a settlement, paying off thousands in legal fees in monthly installments to avoid foreclosure. And it's not just them. Other neighbors say they've received citations for toy wagons left outside, mildew on mailboxes, and sod that wasn't green enough — sometimes served on weekends or with barely any time to respond. 'He would ride through here really slow in his truck. He had his clipboard in his lap,' one neighbor said of the property manager. 'If he was going to write you up, he'd stop in front of your house.' Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. What can you do if your HOA goes too far? Homeowners associations can offer structure and protect property values, but they can also carry significant risks. When disputes escalate, they can lead to court appearances, liens and even foreclosure. Here's how to protect yourself before you end up in a similar situation: 1. Read the HOA bylaws thoroughly Before buying in a community with an HOA, get a copy of the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions). Understand what's allowed, what's not, and how fines, violations, and legal actions are handled. 2. Document everything If you're cited for a violation, take photos and keep detailed notes. Save every notice, email, and communication with the HOA or its property manager. This can be crucial if you end up in court. 3. Don't ignore court dates Green's jail time stemmed from missing a court hearing. Whether you agree with the violation or not, never miss a court date. Hire legal help if needed, even a short consultation can help you navigate the process and avoid bigger problems. 4. Watch out for legal fees HOAs often pass legal fees onto the homeowner, and those costs can spiral quickly. If your HOA hires a third-party law firm, even small matters can rack up thousands of dollars in legal costs. Consider negotiating a settlement early before things escalate. 5. Know your rights and when to fight back 'If the board is really handing the keys to the property manager, that's when problems start,' said attorney David Lehr, who represents homeowners in HOA disputes. Residents may have recourse through mediation, state complaint processes, or civil suits, but acting early is key. Bottom line HOAs can play a helpful role in community upkeep, but they can also act with surprising power, especially when enforcement is outsourced and unchecked. As Green's case shows, it doesn't take much for a lawn violation to snowball into legal trouble and financial distress. 'If they decide that you need to do something, you need to follow the rules,' said Paul Boudreaux, a professor at Stetson Law School. 'And when a judge tells you to do something, you have to do it.' For anyone living in an HOA community, or thinking of buying into one, it's worth remembering: the fine print can cost you more than you think. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Last fight of the Proms! 'Seat holders' at Royal Albert Hall sue venue for £500,000 after 'missing out on concerts'
Three Royal Albert Hall seat holders are suing the charity behind the venue for more than £500,000 in damages at the High Court over allegations it 'unlawfully' deprived them of their rights to their places. Roughly a quarter of the venue's 5,272 seats were sold on a 999-year lease to individual buyers to fund the hall's construction, in 1866. Owners pay an annual seat rate, with many seats passed down from generation to generation. Under current arrangements, for around 100 designated events each year, known as 'executive lettings', the owners give up their 1,268 seats for the west London venue to sell. But Arthur George, 78, who owns 12 seats in two separate boxes, and father and son William and Alexander Stockler, who together own four seats in one box, say they have been excluded from more performances than rules allow by the Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences, commonly known as the Royal Albert Hall (RAH). Lawyers for the three men are asking a judge to declare that the practice of excluding them from other performances is unlawful, and to grant an injunction to stop the corporation from restricting their access beyond the terms of the Royal Albert Hall Act 1966. The lawyers told the High Court yesterday that seat holders have a 'proprietary right to use their seats, or to otherwise sell or give away their tickets'. The men are asking a judge to rule in their favour without a trial and award an interim payment of £500,000 in damages, ahead of the full amount being decided. The corporation is opposing the application, with its lawyers stating the case should proceed to trial. They told a hearing in London that the body has excluded members on other occasions, but this has been approved by members by way of a document titled Memorandum and Guidelines. David Satwell, representing the three claimants, told the court: 'This isn't a breach of contract case, we say this is a wrongful use of someone else's property.' In written submissions, Mr Satwell said: 'It is not disputed by the parties that the corporation has exceeded its power... by granting more exclusive lets than it is permitted to do under that provision, that it has been doing so for a number of years, and that it intends to do so into the future.' For the corporation, Simon Taube KC wrote: 'The claimants, who have each been members of the corporation since before 2008, appear not to have voted against the Memorandum and Guidelines until the 2023 AGM.' In 2017, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe paid £2.76 million for a box at the venue, which famously stages the BBC Proms, as well as rock concerts and awards nights.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Exxon Benefits From a Pyrrhic Defeat Against Chevron and Hess
Exxon Mobil Corp. is one of the oil industry's most litigious companies, always ready to take a rival, a government, a green campaigner or even prospective investors to court. In any dispute, its message is the same: We know the law better. Even though that's often untrue, it doesn't matter — for Exxon, lawsuits are often just tools to delay the inevitable, and losing them is just another way of winning. On Friday, Exxon lost the oil industry's highest-profile legal dispute in 40 years to arch-rival Chevron Corp. The case centered around the acquisition of prized oilfields in Guyana, part of Chevron's purchase Hess Corp in a deal worth almost $60 billion.
