Local Law Firms Home > Probate Law News > Widlak Estate Settles Two Cases Seeking $500,000 In both civil cases — one brought against Widlak in Macomb County in 2009 and another against his estate in Wayne County last May— Widlak supposedly borrowed funds from others for business investments before he became the bank CEO in 2006, and he'd only repaid them up to a certain amount before his passing. Lynda Thomas of Grosse Pointe Woods fought for $420,000 in the lawsuit at Wayne County Probate Court of in May against Widlak's estate and as a shareholder derivative action against Henderson Holdings LLC, after she supposedly lent Widlak trust assets to purchase a Ford Motor Co. dealership in Amsterdam. The estate of Elizabeth Cerget in Macomb County fought for $125,000 in monetary compensation against Widlak, EWG of Nevada Inc. and Western Surety Co., the business that joined Widlak as a court-appointed conservator. Widlak owned EWG, a Nevada company that borrowed about $150,000 from Cerget's estate over a two year period while he was a fiscal advisor to a previous conservator for Cerget, lawyers have said. Those funds were used to invest in another business that offered extended warranties on computer equipment, which lawyers have said later went out of business. According to the Wayne County lawsuit, he also was managing worker of Henderson Holdings, and a co-trustee with Lynda Thomas. Widlak's estate settled the Thomas lawsuit previously this month, along with a cost objective that was still remaining in the Cerget lawsuit. Partner Andrew Mayoras at Troy-based Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras PC, who offered legal representation to the Cerget estate, and a Warner Norcross & Judd LLP lawyer who represented Thomas both refused to reveal conditions of their respective settlements. A few years ago, Widlak apparently transferred $210,100 in trust funds to Henderson Holdings. Despite the loan terms, Widlak began making annual repayments starting a few years ago for $20,000, including one just weeks before he passed away. Did you know? Our probate and estate planning lawyers can help if you have a case you need to settle. Contact an estate planning attorney near you as quickly as possible for more information about obtaining legal representation in your case.
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