The widow of an Italian ice cream tycoon is facing a hefty court bill of £300,000 after losing an inheritance battle for her late husband’s fortune against his first wife and children. Ernesto Colicci, the millionaire behind a London-based ice cream empire, passed away from coronavirus in 2021 at the age of 66. His second wife, Nora Grinberg, was left his £4.75 million fortune in his will, leading to a bitter legal dispute with his first spouse, Josephine Colicci, and their two children. However, in May, the High Court ruled in favor of Josephine and her children, granting them a £1.6 million stake in the family business fortune.
The recent court hearing focused on the division of the substantial legal fees incurred during the battle. As the winning side, Josephine and her children were entitled to request that Nora Grinberg cover the majority of the £389,000 costs. Although the judge agreed with this request, he also determined that a portion of the fees should be deducted since the Colicci family had raised a peripheral legal issue that had no chance of success. Consequently, Nora Grinberg is expected to be left with a court bill of around £313,000.
Ernesto Colicci’s first wife, Josephine Colicci, emerged as the victor in the inheritance dispute. The court heard arguments from both sides regarding the ownership of Mr. Colicci’s shares in ECSI Ltd, with Josephine arguing that they should pass to their children based on a previous agreement. Meanwhile, Nora Grinberg claimed that a more recent agreement entitled her to the shares. The judge ruled in favor of Josephine and her children, stating that the 2016 agreement, which ensured their inheritance, was still valid at the time of Mr. Colicci’s death.
Ernesto Colicci, originally from Italy, arrived in the UK in 1982 with a dream of selling ice cream. He went on to build a successful business, comprising 35 sites across London’s parks, including cafes, boutique restaurants, and vintage ice cream trucks. When he passed away, his will left his entire fortune to his second wife, Nora Grinberg, and their infant daughter, with a letter explaining his decision to his children from his first marriage.
Josephine Colicci pursued legal action against Nora Grinberg, who served as the executor of Ernesto’s estate. The Colicci family argued that Mr. Colicci’s 40% stake in the family business should be passed on to their children, Rob and Rosanna, as per the 2016 agreement they had drafted together. The judge ultimately agreed with their claims and upheld the agreement’s validity.
During the trial, it was revealed that Rob and Rosanna already held a 10% stake each in the family company, and Rob, who is married to actress Scarlett Bowman, also served as a director. Josephine Colicci owned the remaining 40% stake. Arguments were presented by both sides regarding the distribution of the shares, but the judge ultimately ruled in favor of Josephine, determining that the 2017 agreement did not replace or absolve Ernesto Colicci of his obligation to follow the 2016 agreement.
The court proceedings also shed light on the personal sacrifices made by Nora Grinberg, who had given up her successful career as a chemical engineer to raise a family with Ernesto. Her barrister argued that she would face financial hardship if she lost her late husband’s stake in the family business without compensation. However, the judge concluded that Nora’s financial position was not relevant to the case and that the 2016 agreement should stand.
In the end, Josephine Colicci and her children emerged victorious in the inheritance battle, securing their rightful stake in the family business fortune. Meanwhile, Nora Grinberg is left facing a significant court bill as a result of the legal proceedings.
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