This is the last post in the story of a Florida millionaire. The man, whom we are calling Bob, died last year, and his estate has been in turmoil ever since. His girlfriend is suing (with her husband), his children are counter-suing, and the sale of his Port Royal mansion is on hold.

The first claim concerns Bob's will. The neighbor and his wife (the girlfriend) say he wrote up a new one that named the neighbor's wife as a beneficiary. Bob's family claims, through the estate's lawyer, that the day the alleged "new will" was signed, Bob was at his birthday party all day. The neighbors counter that the children are just worried that they won't get their hands on the money.

The neighbor's law license has been suspended, and he has been sanctioned in more than one state for practicing without a license. The Florida Bar has investigated his conduct at least three times. Most recently, a judge turned down the neighbor's request to be reinstated, adding that he will "attempt whatever he thinks he can get away with."

The most recent lawsuit involving Bob's estate was filed in August, by the neighbor. He and his wife claim that Bob's family and the estate lawyer are abusing the process, engaging in malicious prosecution, and defaming the couple by sullying their reputation as well as by foreclosing on their home -- the home Bob personally backed a reverse mortgage for. When he died, the debt came due.

The case may not go anywhere. The neighbor served the lawyer with the complaint but did not serve any of Bob's children. Because he had bounced the check he'd written to the county to cover the filing fee, the county clerk refused to take the check to have the rest of the defendants served.

Behind all of this is a man whose children describe him as "very religious and caring," as having a sense of humor and a good heart. Bob donated millions over his lifetime to causes that helped children. The challenge for his family is to remember him as they knew him and not let the mess his estate has turned into interfere with that.

Source: Naples News, "Love and war in Port Royal: Millionaire's children battle for estate vs. ex-neighbor, lawyer," Aisling Swift, Aug. 28, 2011