The law firm of a murdered Florida lawyer is facing legal malpractice claims after allegedly mishandling the estate interests of a couple who died in the Surfside Condominium collapse.
On June 14, Richard Oller, acting as the Personal Representative of the Estates of David F. Epstein and Bonnie H. Epstein, filed a lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court against Paul S. Labiner, Esquire, P.A., also known as The Law Office of Paul S. Labiner.
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Paul S. Labiner was allegedly killed by his son last year, who later committed suicide in jail.
The complaint accuses Labiner of legal malpractice and negligence in handling estate tax matters following the deaths of David and Bonnie Epstein in the Surfside Condominium collapse on June 24, 2021.
The plaintiff alleges that errors made by Labiner and his firm, including missed deadlines and incorrect filings with the IRS, caused significant delays and financial penalties for the estates.
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Specifically, the suit claims that a $3.7 million tax payment intended for Bonnie H. Epstein’s estate was incorrectly attributed to David F. Epstein’s estate, resulting in substantial interest charges and penalties from the IRS.
The complaint includes multiple counts, such as legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and vicarious liability for Labiner’s actions before his alleged murder on July 1, 2023.
Austin Hamilton of Jimerson Birr represents the plaintiff in this case.
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