The grandson of Con and Florence Polites, Markas Salkanovic, is suing his grandmother’s estate for more money

The Polites family is embroiled in a legal fight over the family matrich’s estate with her convicted drug importer grandson claiming he’s entitled to more of her multimillion-dollar wealth.

Polites street signage in Adelaide, South Australia. Polites real estate sign. Supplied

One of the state’s wealthiest families is embroiled in a new legal war over the multimillion-dollar will of their empire’s late matriarch.

Florence Gemenis Polites, who was married to the late Adelaide property king Con for almost six decades, died in March, aged 102.

But her grandson, convicted drug importer Markas Salkanovic, 54, is suing for more money from his grandmother’s estate before inheritance laws change in three weeks.

Polites family member Markas Salkanovic is suing for more money from his grandmother’s estate before inheritance laws change in three weeks. Picture: Greg Higgs.

Despite Polites family protests, Mr Salkanovic, who was accused in court of “abuse and harassment” towards relatives, won his bid late on Tuesday for an administrator to investigate if her 1999 will was “insolvent”.

Mr Salkanovic, who has been accused in court of launching family feuds – including a macabre attack on his tycoon grandfather’s grave – also avoided legally guaranteeing financial security for his legal action.

The Supreme Court heard disputed allegations two cousins were helping him after they themselves last year sued for access to family trust records.

Court documents show mother-of-three Mrs Polites, a great-grandmother whose son George, 70, is also a property tycoon, had at least $1.5m assets including shares and property interests.

But the papers state the estate, which has not been granted probate – or made legally official – had accrued debts worth more than $4.4m.

This, George Polites asserted to the court, meant it was more than $2.8m in the red, which was for “living expenses” to allow his mother to live at home until she died “peacefully”.

The court heard disputed claims George Polites – whose empire is said to stretch to more than 50 CBD buildings alone – had failed to undertake his will executor duties.

Constantine (Con) Polites with wife Florence in 1994.

Graham Edmonds-Wilson, KC, for Mr Salkanovic, told the court of concerns about shares and other interests being moved from the estate within three weeks of her death.

It was moved into another family company “presumably” to pay down the debt, he said.

“In effect, the estate of the deceased is in limbo presently … and shrouded in ambiguity,” he said.

“It’s not going to be preserved and protected unless this court intervenes by appointing an independent administrator.”

While Mr Salkanovic, who avoided a prison cell after a 2019 drugs import case, was listed in his mother’s will, the court heard he was seeking an “urgent” new inheritance application before state law change on January 1.

This is when a new Succession Act is enforced allowing reforms including stepchildren being free to make claims but making it harder for grandchildren to be eligible for money.

Mr Edmonds-Wilson declined to specify what his client would be applying for.

The court heard Mr Salkanovic, who has held various roles in the family business, was already provided with money.

Dick Whitington, KC, for George Polites, said his conduct while living in family apartments was questioned but declined to air details in court.

A Range Rover car was also damaged, he alleged, while Mr Salkanovic, who was “cut-off” from his wealthy family following his drugs arrest in 2015, was further given a Mercedes Benz vehicle.

Marcus Polites, grandson of renowned Adelaide property tycoon Con Polites.

Mr Whitington accused Mr Salkanovic of “abuse and harassment” towards his client, allegations he said were “contentious”.

Mr Edmonds-Wilson said his client’s behaviour didn’t influence any legal claim to the will.

Mr Whitington accused George’s twin sons, Marcus and Alex (Con), both 40, of helping Mr Salkanovic, allowing him to afford a senior counsel barrister “silk”, despite crying poor.

“He is seeking a sledgehammer to crack a nut,” Mr Whitington told the court.

“(He) has the barest of interest under a bequest. He is laying the foundation for an application under inheritance (laws).”

Property developer Marcus denied in court on Tuesday helping his cousin, including bankrolling him, or wanting to seek more estate money.

“Haven’t discussed it, haven’t considered it,” he told the court.

Objecting to giving evidence after watching from the public gallery, he briefly described legal action last year to access documents from a Polites trust.

Con Polites, who died in 2001 of heart failure aged 82, became one of Adelaide’s richest men with his surname becoming famous for adorning buildings around the city.

His will divided his extensive empire among his wife, three children, George, Helen Polites – Mr Salkanovic mother – and Evon Koumi as well as his company.

Florence Polites, who was married to Con for 56 years, was left houses at Pasadena, Plympton and Glenelg North.

In 2016, his gravesite was desecrated before a fresh animal liver was left inside a white container — with a red ribbon on top, a candle and note — outside George Polites’ home.

Police said there was not enough evidence to lay charges.

In 2019, Markas Salkanovic was found guilty of importing 1.3kg of pseudoephedrine, which is a precursor for making methylamphetamine.

Late on Tuesday Justice Tim Stanley ordered an independent administrator, lawyer Sarah Hooper, be appointed and refused any financial security.

Mr Salkanovic did not attend court.