This is a bittersweet story of the man who came forward just as his cousin was asking a Dade County probate court to declare him dead. Ronald Novack had been living a vagabond life, and no one had seen him since his mother died. The cousin and other family members looked for him for several years, because Novack had inherited millions from his mother, the first wife of the owner of the famed Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. He was thrilled when he learned of his good fortune, telling the press that he would find a place to live and "get off the street."

That was in 2006. Now, the troubled heir is the focus of litigation between his attorney and his cousin, who is trustee for the estate.

The attorney is leveling serious charges at the cousin, saying he has abused Novack and has failed to provide him with the resources to follow through on his vow to find a home, to get off the street.

The cousin, however, says he has been a model trustee. When Novack reappeared in 2006, the cousin had helped to establish a bank account and arranged for Novack to have a modest allowance. As trustee, the cousin also managed a real estate deal that substantially increased the value of the estate.

He also makes a careful distinction in describing his relationship with Novack: He is a trustee, he says, not Novack's guardian. He has fiduciary responsibilities but no personal obligations. He tried to help, but Novack's mental illness makes that difficult to impossible.

Other relatives have encouraged Novack to settle down, as he had promised. The appeals were ignored or unheard. The only remaining option, according to his cousin, is to force the 64-year-old into a psychiatric facility. His cousin maintains that would be cruel.

Indeed, Novack had said he wanted to settle down. He worked with the attorney who is now suing Novack's cousin to claim his inheritance. But these things take time, and Novack grew restless. He took off.

Novack's been spotted in Broward County, but he could be anywhere. So, all of this inheritance drama will take place with the main character off-stage.

Source: Sun-Sentinel.com, "Lawyer seeks to oust trustee for homeless heir to millions," Juan Ortega, 07/10/2011