PHILIPSBURG--The court in Philipsburg on February 9, 2016, after several postponements rejected all claims to the January 14, 2010, will of the late Olivier Lange (Captain Oliver) made by his niece and nephew, Axelle and François Lange, as heirs.
Captain Oliver passed away on September 25, 2010.
The will was contested in the Dutch-side court on September 24, 2013; however, the French-side court had already ruled that the will was valid on January 22, 2015.
The plaintiffs filed one primary claim contesting validity of the will and five other alternative claims, all of which the court found no grounds for invalidity or for deriving further rights from the will.
Captain Oliver’s partner and majority shareholder Maggi Shurtleff and Executor of the will, Maÿlis de Largentaye, were represented by Attorney Jelmer Snow. The plaintiffs were not present in court.
Judge MJ de Kort ruled that the will and last testament of Captain Oliver was valid and ordered the plaintiffs to pay the cost of the proceedings in support of the defendants.
Reacting to the verdict, Maggi Shurtleff said: “It is a huge relief to me and the entire team at Captain Oliver’s Resort and Marina to know that this long ordeal is finally over and behind us and we can move on with our lives.
“We now look forward to channelling happy and positive energy into making the resort the best it can be, and to celebrate again Captain Oliver’s legacy of “joie de vivre” on which the reputation of this resort has been built. It’s what he would have wanted.”
