New twist in Polites legal war as twin grandsons reveal new will claim over matriarch’s multimillion-dollar estate

The legal war embroiling one of South Australia’s wealthiest families has taken a twist after a court heard more grandsons want to challenge the late family matriarch’s lucrative estate.

The legal war embroiling one of South Australia’s wealthiest families has taken a twist after a court heard more grandsons want to challenge the late family matriarch’s lucrative estate.

Markas Salkanovic, 54, who is a convicted attempted drug importer, is locked in a bitter Supreme Court dispute over the 1999 will of his late grandmother Florence Gemenis Polites.

But in a new twist, her twin grandsons, Marcus and Alex, 40, have revealed, they too, want to challenge her multimillion-dollar will before state law changes later this week.

The court revelation emerged just weeks after Marcus gave evidence that neither he nor his brother, had “discussed” or “considered” plans to lodge a new inheritance claim.

Polites family member Markas Salkanovic arrives at the Adelaide Magistrates Court in 2020. Picture: Greg Higgs

George Polites arrives at his office in Adelaide. Picture: Brad Fleet

Mr Salkanovic, their cousin, also denied acting as a “stalking horse” for more claims.

It is unclear what the brothers, Queensland-based property developers, are seeking under the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act.

The twins, whose property tycoon father is Polites Group of Companies chief executive George, 70, of Glenelg North, said outside court late on Friday that “circumstances have changed” but declined further comment.

Alex Polites, left, with older sister Parisha Coleman and Marcus Polites. Parisha is not involved in any of the legal action. Picture: Facebook

Great-grandmother Mrs Polites, a mother of three including to George, died “peacefully” March, aged 102, after being married to the late Adelaide property king Con for 56 years.

Glandore-based Mr Salkanovic, who is estranged from parts of his family and has denied court claims of “abuse and harassment” towards relatives, is suing for a bigger estate slice.

Despite Polites family protests, Mr Salkanovic, who denied accusations in court of launching family feuds including desecrating his grandfather’s grave, won his bid to have administrator, Sarah Hooper, appointed to the estate.

Justice Tim Stanley heard Nicole Mead, of DMAW Lawyers, emailed Ms Hooper almost an hour before the December 20 hearing, to flag her twin clients’ action.

SA businessman Constantine (Con) Polites with wife Florence in 1994.

Mark Taylor, for Ms Hooper, told the court the email, sent at 10.20am before an 11.30am hearing, stated: “We confirm that we are instructed to make an application … for our clients Alex and Marcus Polites in respect of the estate of Florence Polites.

“We would be grateful for you to please confirm that you are happy to accept service of that application by email.”

Thomas McFarlane, for George Polites, questioned how it wasn’t a “stalking horse” claim.

“That was put to Marcus Polites when he was in the witness box. (He said) ‘we don’t have a personal interest in lodging such a claim’,” he said.

“But nonetheless here we are less than three weeks later and there’s evidence … saying ‘we’re going to now lodge the claim’.”

George Polites, who denies allegations he acted improperly as the estate’s executor, has launched Court of Appeal action against Ms Hooper’s appointment.

Court documents show the estate, which has not been granted probate – or made legally official – had at least $1.5m assets including shares worth at least 40 per cent of the family empire and property interests.

But papers show the “insolvent” holdings was more than $2.8m in the red after accruing debts worth more than $4.4m.

Alex and Marcus Polites. Picture: Supplied

A Polites building in Adelaide along King William St. Picture: Matt Loxton

Graham Edmonds-Wilson, KC, for Mr Salkanovic, revealed family objections included a “desire to avoid the affairs of the Polites Group being examined” amid fears confidential details would leak to third parties.

Justice Stanley imposed an temporary suspension on Ms Hooper’s powers before a hearing next month to argue if that “stay” should be extended until the appeal is heard.

Ms Hooper, of Track Legal, declined to comment as have the other parties.

Originally published as New twist in Polites legal war as twin grandsons reveal new will claim over matriarch’s multimillion-dollar estate