A doctor treated a patient for two years before he died. A detail in his will set off a bitter legal battle between his friends, GP and one of Australia’s biggest charities
A doctor has won a lengthy legal battle to remain the main beneficiary of his wealthy patient’s multimillion-dollar investments.
General practitioner Dr. Sydney’s Peter Alexakis was embroiled in a will dispute with the Salvation Army and two friends of his patient Raymond John McClure, 84.
Mr McClure was a millionaire who made his wealth by selling properties in the US before moving to Australia and becoming a patient of Dr Alexakis in 2015.
He amended his will twice to increase the amount left for his GP in the months before his death on November 21, 2017.
About 90 percent of his $24 million estate, including a property in Strathfield in Sydney’s west, was allocated to Dr Alexakis.
Mr McClure’s friends, Frank Camilleri and Hildegard Schwanke, joined the Salvation Army to challenge the will and take the case to the NSW Court of Appeal.
In court documents, Dr. Alexakis is accused of using “undue influence” over Mr. McClure.
The court dismissed the case in May, ruling that Dr. Alexakis was entitled to the estate and that he had not exercised “undue influence.”
General practitioner Dr. Peter Alexakis (pictured) of Sydney (pictured) was involved in a will dispute with the Salvation Army and two friends of his patient Raymond John McClure, 84
The court heard that McClure had made a will in May 2016 which named The Salvation Army and Ms Schwanke as beneficiaries.
Mr. McClure then distributed his estate’s property in a will in June 2017 and appointed Dr. Alexakis as the main beneficiary, with him being allocated 65 percent.
Mr. Camilleri was allocated 25 percent, while Ms. Schwanke received five percent.
Mr. McClure was being treated for diabetes, prostate cancer and kidney failure at the time of the change.
A month later, on July 10, the will was again amended to allow Dr. Alexakis a 90 percent share in the estate.
Mr Camilleri’s duty was reduced to nine percent and Mrs Schwanke’s to one percent.
The Salvation Army was completely eliminated.
Mr. McClure had no spouse or children to whom he could leave his estate.
Raymond John McClure (pictured), 84, was a millionaire who made his wealth by selling properties in the US before moving to Australia and becoming a patient of Dr. Alexakis
About 90 percent of McClure’s $24 million estate, including a property in Strathfield in Sydney’s west (pictured), was awarded to Dr Alexakis.
He also became estranged from his brother, who was his only sibling.
Mr McClure had been in and out of hospital since June 2015, later returning home after discharge.
Dr. Alexakis often visited Mr. McClure, who repeatedly complained that he did not want to stay in the hospital.
The NSW Court of Appeal found Alexakis only knew he was the sole beneficiary after the patient had died.