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Filing #110118606 E-Filed 07/13/2020 10:02:32 AM
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
JOHN J. HLIS,
Plaintiff,
Vv. Case No.: 2019-CA-009317
Division: A; Probate
CHARLES M. BRAUN, individually and as
Trustee of the John G. Hlis and Joyce W. Hlis
Living Trust u/a/d June 25, 1992, SHAUNNA
C. MIZELLE, an individual, STEPHEN G.
HLIS, an_ individual, MARK. J. HLIS, an
individual, ROCCO DAVID HLIS, an
individual, CHRISTEN MARY HLIS, an
individual, and STEPHEN JOHN HLIS, an
individual,
Defendants.
/
REPLY TO ANSWERS AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO DEFENDANT, SHAUNNA
C. MIZELLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS AGAINST PLAINTIFF, JOHN J. HLIS
COMES NOW, Shaunna C. Mizelle, individually, and as natural parent for H.C.H
(“H.C.H.”) a minor child, and G.A.M., II (“G.A.M, IT”) a minor child, and attorney in fact for
Wesley J. Hammonds (“Wesley J. Hammonds”) under Durable Power of Attorney dated March 1,
2019 (herein collectively “Mizelle Counter Plaintiffs”), files this Reply to Answers and
Affirmative by Plaintiff, John J. Hlis, to Defendant, Shaunna C. Mizelle’s Counterclaims Against
Plaintiff, John J. Hlis and states as follows:
Reply as to Affirmative Defenses to Second Counter Claim for Declaratory Relief Relating
to Will.
1 Counter-Defendant, Dr. John J. Hlis (“Counter-Defendant”) fails to plead facts relating to
the construction of the Last Will and Testament of Joyce W. Hlis (“Will”) and the interpretation
of the dispositive provisions for the assets solely owned by Joyce W. Hlis.
Reply as to Affirmative Defenses to Fourth Counterclaim for Construction of Joyce W.
Hlis’s Right to Amend the Trust Relating to her Solely Contributed Assets.
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2. Counter-Defendant, improperly placed what appears to be an affirmative defense as to
Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, in his Answer as paragraph number 166.
3. With respect to the defenses in paragraph 166 Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, the
pertinent subsection to the counterclaim, subsection (2), is not limited in its application to trusts
created post the effective date of the Florida Trust Code.
4. Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, only states that subsection (I) of the statute does not
apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of the Florida Trust
Code:
“(1) Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is
irrevocable, the settlor may revoke or amend the trust. This subsection
does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the
effective date of this code.” Section 736.0602(1), Florida Statute,
(emphasis added).
5. The Trust Agreement was created as a revocable trust hence, subsection (2) of Section
736.0602, Florida Statute, would apply to the John G. Hlis and Joyce W. Hlis Trust Agreement
dated June 25, 1992, as amended on November 21, 1994, October 10, 2003, and August 9, 2007,
as completely restated on July 8, 2010 and amended on August 27, 2010 and December 14, 2012
(“Trust Agreement”) and there is no exclusion for subsection (2)’s application to trusts executed
before the effective date of the Florida Trust Code.
6. Mizelle Counter Plaintiffs adopt and incorporate by reference the Reply to the
Affirmative Defenses to Fourth Cross-Claim in Defendant, Stephen G. Hlis’ Answer to Mizelle’s
Crossclaims.
Reply as to Affirmative Defenses to Fifth Counterclaim for Reformation,
7. With respect to the defenses in Counter-Defendant’s First Affirmative Defense to Fifth
Counterclaim for Reformation, Section 736.04113, Florida Statute, is intended specifically for
irrevocable trusts:
“736.04113 Judicial modification of irrevocable trust when
modification is not inconsistent with settlor’s purpose.” Section
736.04113, Florida Statute (emphasis added).
8. With respect to the defenses in Counter-Defendant’s Second Affirmative Defense to Fifth
Counterclaim for Reformation, Counter-Defendant only pleads legal argument with conclusory
allegations that fails to allege facts.
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9. Mizelle Counter Plaintiffs adopt and incorporate by reference the Reply to the
Affirmative Defenses to Fifth Cross-Claim in Defendant, Stephen G. Hlis’ Answer to Mizelle’s
Crossclaims.
Dated July 2, 2020.
GREENE HAMRICK QUINLAN
& SCHERMER, P.A.
Joly 4inlan, Esq.
Fi far No. 329126
Greene Hamrick Quinlan & Schemer, PA
Post Office Box 551
Bradenton, Florida 34206
Telephone: (941) 747-1871
Facsimile: (941) 747-2991
Primary: jquinlan@manateelegal.com
Secondary: tblauvelt(@manateelegal.com
Attorney for Defendant Shaunna Mizelle
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1 CERTIFY that a true copy of the foregoing has been furnished to the following persons
in accordance with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and the Florida Rules of Judicial
Administration this July 2020:
Clifton C. Curry, Jr., Esq. Steven L. Hearn, Esq.
Louis D. Lazaro, Esq. 600 South Magnolia Ave.
Curry Law Group, PA Suite 200
750 W. Lumsden Road Tampa, FL 33606
Brandon, FL 33511 813-222-0003
P.O. Box 1143 slh@estatedisputes.com
Brandon, FL 33509-1143 Melr@estatedisuputes.com
813-653-2500 Attorney for Charles M. Braun
LDLService@currylawgroup.com
CCCService@currylawgroup.com
Attorneys for John J. Hlis
David C. Lanigan, J.D., LL.M.
David C. Lanigan, P. A.
15310 Amberly Drive
Suite 250
Tampa, FL 33647
dave laniganlaw.com
ssistant@laniganlaw.com
Attorney for Mark J. Hlis, Stephen G. Hlis
Stephen J. Hlis, Rocco Hlis & Christen Hlis
GREENE HAMRICK QUINLAN
& SCHERMER, P.
- Quinlan,
forida Bar No. 329126
Greene Hamrick Quinlan & Schemer, PA
Post Office Box 551
Bradenton, Florida 34206
Telephone: (941) 747-1871
Facsimile: (941) 747-2991
Primary: jquinlan@manateelegal cor
Secondary: tblauvelt@manateelegal.com
Attorney for Defendant Shaunna Mizelle
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Preview
Filing #110118606 E-Filed 07/13/2020 10:02:32 AM IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA JOHN J. HLIS, Plaintiff, Vv. Case No.: 2019-CA-009317 Division: A; Probate CHARLES M. BRAUN, individually and as Trustee of the John G. Hlis and Joyce W. Hlis Living Trust u/a/d June 25, 1992, SHAUNNA C. MIZELLE, an individual, STEPHEN G. HLIS, an_ individual, MARK. J. HLIS, an individual, ROCCO DAVID HLIS, an individual, CHRISTEN MARY HLIS, an individual, and STEPHEN JOHN HLIS, an individual, Defendants. / REPLY TO ANSWERS AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO DEFENDANT, SHAUNNA C. MIZELLE’S COUNTERCLAIMS AGAINST PLAINTIFF, JOHN J. HLIS COMES NOW, Shaunna C. Mizelle, individually, and as natural parent for H.C.H (“H.C.H.”) a minor child, and G.A.M., II (“G.A.M, IT”) a minor child, and attorney in fact for Wesley J. Hammonds (“Wesley J. Hammonds”) under Durable Power of Attorney dated March 1, 2019 (herein collectively “Mizelle Counter Plaintiffs”), files this Reply to Answers and Affirmative by Plaintiff, John J. Hlis, to Defendant, Shaunna C. Mizelle’s Counterclaims Against Plaintiff, John J. Hlis and states as follows: Reply as to Affirmative Defenses to Second Counter Claim for Declaratory Relief Relating to Will. 1 Counter-Defendant, Dr. John J. Hlis (“Counter-Defendant”) fails to plead facts relating to the construction of the Last Will and Testament of Joyce W. Hlis (“Will”) and the interpretation of the dispositive provisions for the assets solely owned by Joyce W. Hlis. Reply as to Affirmative Defenses to Fourth Counterclaim for Construction of Joyce W. Hlis’s Right to Amend the Trust Relating to her Solely Contributed Assets. ~My =o °2 8 ~oan oonmenaeswoseu LD zug Bees rss Usa Pow 2. Counter-Defendant, improperly placed what appears to be an affirmative defense as to Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, in his Answer as paragraph number 166. 3. With respect to the defenses in paragraph 166 Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, the pertinent subsection to the counterclaim, subsection (2), is not limited in its application to trusts created post the effective date of the Florida Trust Code. 4. Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, only states that subsection (I) of the statute does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of the Florida Trust Code: “(1) Unless the terms of a trust expressly provide that the trust is irrevocable, the settlor may revoke or amend the trust. This subsection does not apply to a trust created under an instrument executed before the effective date of this code.” Section 736.0602(1), Florida Statute, (emphasis added). 5. The Trust Agreement was created as a revocable trust hence, subsection (2) of Section 736.0602, Florida Statute, would apply to the John G. Hlis and Joyce W. Hlis Trust Agreement dated June 25, 1992, as amended on November 21, 1994, October 10, 2003, and August 9, 2007, as completely restated on July 8, 2010 and amended on August 27, 2010 and December 14, 2012 (“Trust Agreement”) and there is no exclusion for subsection (2)’s application to trusts executed before the effective date of the Florida Trust Code. 6. Mizelle Counter Plaintiffs adopt and incorporate by reference the Reply to the Affirmative Defenses to Fourth Cross-Claim in Defendant, Stephen G. Hlis’ Answer to Mizelle’s Crossclaims. Reply as to Affirmative Defenses to Fifth Counterclaim for Reformation, 7. With respect to the defenses in Counter-Defendant’s First Affirmative Defense to Fifth Counterclaim for Reformation, Section 736.04113, Florida Statute, is intended specifically for irrevocable trusts: “736.04113 Judicial modification of irrevocable trust when modification is not inconsistent with settlor’s purpose.” Section 736.04113, Florida Statute (emphasis added). 8. With respect to the defenses in Counter-Defendant’s Second Affirmative Defense to Fifth Counterclaim for Reformation, Counter-Defendant only pleads legal argument with conclusory allegations that fails to allege facts. ~My =O °2 8 ~oan oonmenaeswoseu LD zug Bees rss Usa Pon 9. Mizelle Counter Plaintiffs adopt and incorporate by reference the Reply to the Affirmative Defenses to Fifth Cross-Claim in Defendant, Stephen G. Hlis’ Answer to Mizelle’s Crossclaims. Dated July 2, 2020. GREENE HAMRICK QUINLAN & SCHERMER, P.A. Joly 4inlan, Esq. Fi far No. 329126 Greene Hamrick Quinlan & Schemer, PA Post Office Box 551 Bradenton, Florida 34206 Telephone: (941) 747-1871 Facsimile: (941) 747-2991 Primary: jquinlan@manateelegal.com Secondary: tblauvelt(@manateelegal.com Attorney for Defendant Shaunna Mizelle ~My =o °2 8 ~oan oonmenaeswoseu LD zug Bes 25550 US Dom 1 CERTIFY that a true copy of the foregoing has been furnished to the following persons in accordance with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration this July 2020: Clifton C. Curry, Jr., Esq. Steven L. Hearn, Esq. Louis D. Lazaro, Esq. 600 South Magnolia Ave. Curry Law Group, PA Suite 200 750 W. Lumsden Road Tampa, FL 33606 Brandon, FL 33511 813-222-0003 P.O. Box 1143 slh@estatedisputes.com Brandon, FL 33509-1143 Melr@estatedisuputes.com 813-653-2500 Attorney for Charles M. Braun LDLService@currylawgroup.com CCCService@currylawgroup.com Attorneys for John J. Hlis David C. Lanigan, J.D., LL.M. David C. Lanigan, P. A. 15310 Amberly Drive Suite 250 Tampa, FL 33647 dave laniganlaw.com ssistant@laniganlaw.com Attorney for Mark J. Hlis, Stephen G. Hlis Stephen J. Hlis, Rocco Hlis & Christen Hlis GREENE HAMRICK QUINLAN & SCHERMER, P. - Quinlan, forida Bar No. 329126 Greene Hamrick Quinlan & Schemer, PA Post Office Box 551 Bradenton, Florida 34206 Telephone: (941) 747-1871 Facsimile: (941) 747-2991 Primary: jquinlan@manateelegal cor Secondary: tblauvelt@manateelegal.com Attorney for Defendant Shaunna Mizelle ~My =o °2 8 ~oan oonmenaeswoseu LD zug Bees 2scsO Usa Pos