On April 18, 1995, editorial writer Jeffrey Good joined an elite group of journalists when he won the St. Petersburg Times' fifth Pulitzer Prize. His editorial investigation, "Final Indignities," exposed flaws in Florida's probate system and detailed ways that personal estates are sometimes mishandled by lawyers and executors.

BROKEN PROMISES

"The people who are supposed to uphold the trust are more geared to their personal networks. It isn't a system of checks and balances. It's more like a good ol' boy network."
-- Diane Fiala, victim

BROKEN TRUSTS

"There are very few people who don't need a living trust.''
-- Judy Spees, lawyer of Spees & Spees

FORGOTTEN VICTIMS

"As I see it, there's no penalty. It's a joke on the whole legal system."
-- Bill Wanich, victim

THE ROAD TO REFORM

"For too long, Florida's estate system has been shaped by a small clique of lawyers and lawyer-legislators. . . .It is time for these leaders to remember the citizens. . ."
-- Jeffrey Good, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist

Home Page | First Story