“The case will reach a conclusion, either through trial or mediation,” said Commissioner John Golumb. “At that point, the Police Commission will authorize an independent review of the events and decisions that were made, which have given rise to concerns both internally and externally.”
A mediation hearing about Goodwin's contested inheritance was held all day Monday, when lawyers for most of the parties discussed dollars and percentages that could settle the case without a trial, said attorney Jim Ritzo.
A 2009 will for the late Geraldine Webber was written by Ritzo and did not name Goodwin as a beneficiary. Hampton attorney Gary Holmes wrote a new will and trust for Webber in 2012, which leaves Goodwin the majority of her estate, including a riverfront home, stocks, bonds and a Cadillac.
Multiple parties are contesting the 2012 will and trust, alleging that Goodwin exerted undue influence over Webber while she was impaired by dementia. The case has prompted multiple news stories, has been widely discussed and motivated one retiree to protest in Market Square.
“We are sympathetic to the frustrations of the community over the commission's inability to address their concerns, due to the nature of the pending litigation and our effort to preserve the integrity of the process,” Golumb said. “We are, however, committed to addressing all concerns at the appropriate time.”
Ritzo said he attended much of Monday's mediation hearing and that attorney Alan Cronheim also represented his interests. Ritzo said he was never paid by Webber for the 25 years he worked as her attorney and submitted a $65,000 bill to her estate for those services.
Ritzo said the mediation hearing was presided over by retired judge and Portsmouth resident John Maher, who “worked hard” to facilitate an agreement. According to Ritzo, many proposals were discussed and the overall theme was to create a new estate document that's a combination of the 2009 will and the 2012 will and trust.
Specifics discussed during Monday's hearing are confidential, but a report summarizing the final outcome will be public, Ritzo said.
“I think the case will settle,” he said. “They discussed putting something together that will make everyone happy.”
Under the terms of Webber's 2009 will, the city police and fire departments were each designated to receive one-quarter of Webber's estate, after the sale of her home and assets. In the will and trust Webber endorsed in 2012, the departments are each named as $25,000 beneficiaries.
Webber's disabled grandson, Brett, is represented by attorney Lisa Bellanti. Webber's only living heir, he was excluded from the 2012 will and trust.
Any agreement reached Monday would have to be approved by a probate court judge. A trial to hear evidence in the case is scheduled for January 2015.
Webber died in December 2012 at age 94.
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Police Commission Authorizes Probe of Goodwin's Inheritance
Police Commission Authorizes Probe of Goodwin's Inheritance
Interesting case. One might think the cop was kind to the old lady, and she wanted to do something for him, but not when the other heirs were shut out.
ReplyDeleteI think it's more than shady and I hope the investigation is very thorough.
ReplyDeleteLeaving out the only heir is a clue that shady business was underway without knowing when all the beneficiaries came into Geraldine Webber's life.
ReplyDelete2009 nothing for Jim Ritzo but by 2012 OMG x 100000000
"....A 2009 will for the late Geraldine Webber was written by Ritzo and did not name Goodwin as a beneficiary. Hampton attorney Gary Holmes wrote a new will and trust for Webber in 2012, which leaves Goodwin the majority of her estate, including a riverfront home, stocks, bonds and a Cadillac......"
And add to that Geraldine Webber passed away the same year 2012 at age of 94. Could Ms. Webber have retained the information in the new 2012 will?
HIGHLY UNLIKELY
Did she read what she signed? and agreed to?
HIGHLY UNLIKELY
Who by the way came up with the idea of writing a new will?
Who came up with this idea?
Who drafted the language and division of estate in the new will written by attorney Gary Holmes?
In my opinion, Geraldine Webber was taken advantage of and influenced in division of her property.
I base my opinion on Ms. Webber's 2009 will and my own experience with aging parents 92, evaluated as: 'sharp' and 97 who experienced minor age related dementia and my time at facility surrounded by residents of every level of incompetency.
Let's hope they get to the truth and aren't influenced by politics or anything else.
ReplyDeleteGreedy lawyers do stupid things.
ReplyDeleteIf Ritzo had left the original heirs in and added Goodwin, that could have passed. But no, they had to have it all. And what was the quid pro quo for Ritzo supposed to be?