Virginia Giuffre's former lawyer, Karrie Louden, and her carer, Cheryl Myers, have raised 'concerns' over trust withdrawals in the multimillion-dollar estate battle involving her sons, Christian and Noah Giuffre.
Louden and Myers are at odds with the sons, who are seeking to be appointed administrators of the estate. However, Louden and Myers have filed a counterclaim alleging that Giuffre expressed in an 'informal will' that her estranged husband, Robert Giuffre, should not benefit from her estate.
Robert Giuffre and their daughter have since been joined to the proceedings, with the public trustee appointed to represent the teenager. Perth lawyer, Ian Torrington Blatchford, remains the interim administrator currently managing the estate.
The issue of trust withdrawals was aired during a case management conference before registrar Danielle Davies in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Monday. Louden and Myers' lawyer, McLane Edinger, expressed concerns about the use of funds from the Witty River Family Trust, in which Robert and Virginia Giuffre held 50 shares each.
Edinger told the court that he had 'concerns relating to the use of funds' and requested an extension for Blatchford to give evidence on the state of affairs of the estate. Registrar Davies approved the order, granting a short extension.
Virginia Giuffre died aged 41 in April last year at her farm in Neergabby, about an hour's drive north of Perth. Her estate is believed to include substantial compensation payments received from Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The couple share three children, with Christian and Noah being the adult sons seeking to be appointed administrators of the estate. Louden and Myers have changed legal representation, with McLane Edinger taking over from Craig Hollett.
The next hearing will be set once registrar Davies is provided with availability from the parties.
Giuffre's Background: Giuffre was a child sex-trafficking survivor who received compensation payments from Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She separated from her husband and was involved in divorce proceedings at the time of her death.
Trust Withdrawals: The Witty River Family Trust, controlled by Robert Giuffre, has become a point of contention in the estate battle. Louden and Myers have expressed concerns about the use of funds from the trust, while the sons are seeking to access medical and financial documents from third parties.
Court Proceedings: The case management conference on Monday saw the issue of trust withdrawals aired in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Registrar Davies approved a short extension for Blatchford to give evidence on the state of affairs of the estate.