Parents face legal dispute as their daughter files a lawsuit, alleging they failed to honor promises made during her 22-year unpaid work tenure and seeking ownership of their real estate business and family home.
In a recent ruling, the NSW Supreme Court dismissed Paula-Marie Penya's claim to the family real estate business and a home in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Eastlakes. The legal dispute revolved around Paula-Marie's assertion that her father, Paul Penya, had promised her the business and the property in exchange for her unpaid work spanning over two decades.
Paul Penya, who sold Matra Real Estate to Century 21 Real Estate in 2018, initially left his estate to Paula-Marie in his will but later revoked it, naming his long-term partner, Irene, as the beneficiary. During the court proceedings, Paul expressed frustration towards his daughter and her family, stating, "I just got sick of it. It was all take, take, take," and referring to them as "millionaires" who were "useless."
Paula-Marie Penya, her partner, two kids, and mother had been living in the Eastlakes home, which Paul Penya co-owns with his ex-wife and Paula-Marie's mother, Therese. In a text message to Paul, Therese urged him to do the 'right thing.' However, the court found no 'clear and unequivocal promise' had been made to Paula-Marie, and Justice Kate Williams dismissed her claim.
Paula-Marie Penya had worked unpaid for 22 years at Matra Real Estate and had been instrumental in acquiring several investment properties over the past 20 years, aided by their rent-free living situation at the Eastlakes home. The court noted that this undermined her assertion of financial sacrifice.
As a result, Paula-Marie and her family must vacate the Eastlakes home at least seven days before the property's sale, and trustees will be appointed to oversee the sale as permitted by law. The legal proceedings were initiated after Paula-Marie Penya claimed she had been promised to run Matra Real Estate when her father Paul retired.
During the proceedings, Paul denied having conversations where he promised to give Matra Real Estate to Paula-Marie Penya. Paula-Marie Penya abandoned her claim relying on the doctrine of promissory estoppel during the proceedings.
This ruling marks a significant development in the legal dispute between Paula-Marie Penya and her father, highlighting the importance of clear and unequivocal promises in property matters. The sale of the Eastlakes home will proceed as permitted by law, with Paula-Marie and her family required to vacate the property before its sale.
- Despite working unpaid for 22 years at her father's real estate business, Matra Real Estate, Paula-Marie Penya's claim to run the business when her father retired was dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court.
- The legal ruling in favor of Paul Penya over his daughter's claim to the family real estate business and a home in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Eastlakes, emphasizes the significance of clear and unequivocal promises in property matters.
- The court proceedings revealed that Paul Penya, who sold Matra Real Estate to Century 21 Real Estate in 2018, had initially left his estate to Paula-Marie in his will but later revoked it in favor of his long-term partner, Irene.
- In the midst of the disagreement over family-dynamics and business matters, the ruling has implications for finance, lifestyle, and relationships within the Penya family, as Paula-Marie and her family are now required to vacate the Eastlakes home before its sale.
