Rimbas v Paganis

[2025] VSC 323

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE

COMMON LAW DIVISION

TESTATORS FAMILY MAINTENANCE LIST

S ECI 2024 01869

IN THE MATTER of the estate of DIMITRIOS RIMBAS, deceased

- and -

IN THE MATTER of Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958

BETWEEN:

MARIA RIMBAS	Plaintiff
v
KATINA PAGANIS (in her capacity as Administrator of the Estate of DIMITRIOS RIMBAS)	Defendant

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JUDGE:	Ierodiaconou AsJ
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	19, 20, 21 February 2025, 6 March 2025
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	6 June 2025
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	Rimbas v Paganis
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2025] VSC 323

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TESTATORS FAMILY MAINTENANCE – Application for a family provision order under Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic) by adult daughter – Where deceased died intestate – Where estate to be equally divided between two adult daughters – Where plaintiff lived in the deceased’s property for majority of her life – Whether equal division of the estate adequately provides for the plaintiff’s proper maintenance and support – Application dismissed – Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic) ss 90A, 91, 91A.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
The Plaintiff in person
For the Defendant	Mr C Northrup	Kiatos & Co

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 1

Brief factual background...................................................................................................................... 2

Procedural background........................................................................................................................ 2

Assets and liabilities of the estate........................................................................................................ 3

Witness evidence at trial....................................................................................................................... 4

Maria................................................................................................................................................ 4

Failure to produce documents relevant to the issues in dispute........................................... 4

Evidence of Maria’s financial situation.................................................................................. 6

Distribution of the deceased’s cash...................................................................................... 11

Warrick Tobin....................................................................................................................... 11

Contribution to the household............................................................................................. 12

Caring responsibilities.......................................................................................................... 14

Katina’s relationship with the deceased.............................................................................. 14

Maria’s animosity towards Katina, John and other witnesses............................................. 15

Deceased’s intentions regarding the property..................................................................... 18

Family cemetery plots.......................................................................................................... 19

Katina............................................................................................................................................. 19

Relationship with the deceased and Stavroula.................................................................... 19

The declining health of Stavroula........................................................................................ 20

The declining health of the deceased................................................................................... 20

Specific points of dispute..................................................................................................... 21

Financial and personal circumstances.................................................................................. 22

Kerry.............................................................................................................................................. 24

Ilias................................................................................................................................................. 24

Sophia............................................................................................................................................ 25

Assessment of witness evidence.................................................................................................... 26

Applicable legal principles................................................................................................................ 27

Submissions........................................................................................................................................ 31

Maria’s submissions....................................................................................................................... 31

Financial and personal circumstances.................................................................................. 32

Deceased’s moral duty and intentions................................................................................. 33

Contribution to caring for the deceased and Stavroula....................................................... 33

Katina’s submissions..................................................................................................................... 33

Criticisms of Maria’s evidence and motivations.................................................................. 33

Application of the evidence to the relevant legislative requirements................................. 35

Threshold requirement for family provision order is not met......................................................... 38

Family provision order should not be made..................................................................................... 40

Relationship between the deceased and Maria............................................................................. 40

Obligations or responsibilities of the deceased, and any benefits given by him; whether he maintained Maria, and any liability to do so.................................................................................................... 40

Size and nature of the estate.......................................................................................................... 41

Financial resources, including earning capacity, of beneficiaries................................................. 41

Disability of any beneficiary.......................................................................................................... 41

Maria’s age..................................................................................................................................... 41

Any contribution (not for adequate consideration) by Maria....................................................... 41

Effects of family provision order on Katina.................................................................................. 42

Character and conduct of Maria, and other matters..................................................................... 42

Conclusion........................................................................................................................................... 42

HER HONOUR:

Introduction

1. The plaintiff, Maria Rimbas, seeks further provision from the estate of her late father, Dimitrios Rimbas…