In re ESTATE OF Norman O. SAUEY, Sr., Deceased.
Donald Sauey and Norman O. Sauey, Jr., as Personal Representatives of the Estate of Norman O. Sauey, Sr., Petitioners,
v.
Beverly Sauey, Respondent.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
*665 Michael L. Trop of Adorno & Yoss, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, for petitioners.
Thomas K. Topor of The Kelley Law Firm, Chartered, Fort Lauderdale, and John Beranek of Ausley & McMullen, Tallahassee, for respondent.
GROSS, J.
This petition for writ of certiorari arises from probate litigation. Petitioners, Donald Sauey and Norman O. Sauey, Jr., are the personal representatives of the Estate of Norman O. Sauey, Sr. Respondent, Beverly Sauey, is the surviving spouse. An antenuptial agreement provided that Beverly waived her spousal rights in her husband's estate upon the occurrence of certain conditions, including the funding of a marital trust for Beverly's benefit.
In the circuit court, Beverly obtained an extension of time for making an elective share. She contended that she did not have enough information about the assets of the estate to make an informed decision on whether to exercise her statutory right to the elective share. Also, Beverly petitioned for the removal of Donald and Norman, Jr. as co-personal representatives, claiming that they had financial interests that conflicted with their obligations as personal representatives.
Beverly sought discovery of financial information from the personal representatives in requests for production and for admission. The personal representatives objected to the discovery. The trial court overruled the objections in an order dated October 14, 2003.
Considering the two issues being litigated, the discovery sought was proper. "[W]here materials sought by a party `would appear to be relevant to the subject matter of the pending action,' the information is fully discoverable." Friedman v. Heart Inst. of Port St. Lucie, Inc.,
Petitioners rely upon Picerne Development Corp. of Florida v. Tasca & Rotelli,
The petition for writ of certiorari is denied.
FARMER, C.J., and POLEN, J., concur.
