CorrespondenceNeptuneSocietyCourtFRKpdf.

My Husband Wanted Simplicity. Probate Turned It Into a Nightmare.
By Alessandra Kurchinski

When my husband, Franklin R. Kurchinski, passed away on August 12, 2022, he left behind more than memories. He left behind a clear message about how he wanted his affairs handled: with simplicity, dignity, and no unnecessary costs.

In April 2021, Frank made his final arrangements with the Neptune Society. He chose the most basic cremation plan available — a cardboard container, no extras, no hidden fees. The cost was about $2,374. He even emailed Neptune more than once, double-checking the amounts, because that was who he was: careful, practical, and always thinking of his family.

Frank’s wish was clear. He wanted his passing to be handled without financial or emotional burdens on me and our two daughters, Jacqueline and Caroline. He lived a simple life, and he wanted his death to reflect that same simplicity.

But what has happened since his death is the opposite of what he intended.

The estate was very modest. The house and car were paid off, there were no major debts, only normal monthly expenses. Yet, when the inventory was filed on November 28, 2022, it listed:

A 1998 Dodge Dakota Truck valued at $2,500

A 2005 CHIJ Scooter valued at $500 (to this day, I still don’t know where it is)

A 2014 Mazda, though the title was in my name

And later, a $2,863.50 credit card refund from a joint account, which the Personal Representative eventually admitted she was holding

That was it. A simple estate.

And yet the administration expenses have been staggering. Over $110,000 has been spent. The Personal Representative/Successor Trustee is asking for more than $47,000. The Resident Agent Attorney is asking for more than $87,000. Together, those fees are far greater than the value of the estate itself.

How is this justice? How is this what my husband wanted?

Frank carefully planned his cremation so his family would not suffer financial hardship. He did everything right — he prepaid, he simplified, he protected us. But instead of peace, I was left to carry the weight of a drawn-out probate process, raising two daughters alone while watching the little my husband left us disappear into legal fees.

I did not even send a copy of my last court filing to the Resident Agent, because I feel that having both a Personal Representative and a Resident Agent only forces the family to pay for two roles, two fees, and duplicate billing.

This is not what my husband wanted. His life — and his last actions — prove that he wanted to avoid unnecessary costs and protect his family. He wanted simplicity, and he deserved it.

Instead, his estate has become a nightmare of endless paperwork, overwhelming expenses, and years of probate litigation.

I share this because families deserve to know the hidden reality of probate. What happened to us could happen to anyone. And I still believe my husband’s true wish should be honored.

1. IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR PINELLAS COUNTY FLORIDA
Case: 22-010189 ES and 23-07038 Cl
Nancy Gorby, as Successor Trustee of Franklin R Kurchinski dated 2123/2406
Plaintiff
V
Alessandra Kurchinski, Franklin's wife
Jacqueline Kurchinski, Franklin's daughter
Caroline Kurchinski, Franklin's daughter
Gorrespondence to Court - Ogl18l2025
Your Honor Judge Thane B. Covert
I want to share with you something that shows who my late husband,
Franklin R. Kurchinski, really was. Frank passed away on August 12,2022.ln April
2021, before his death, he made his final arrangements with the Neptune Society. He
chose the most basic cremation plan
-
simple, direct, nothing extra, even a
cardboard container. That was Frank: practical, economical, and devoted to his
family, his wife, and our two daughters, Jacqueline and Caroline.
Frank's choice showed what he wanted. He wanted his passing to be
handled with dignity but also with simplicity, so that his family would not be left with
financial or emotional burdens. He planned ahead because he loved us, and he
wanted peace
-
not years of probate litigation and ovenrrrhelming expenses.
But since his passing, the Estate has gone in the opposite direction of
what he intended. The inventory was very simple, house and car had been paid off,
he left only monthly expenses, food, electric, water etc. After he died I had to pay the
house expenses by myself and raise our two young daughters, without any financial
help or emotional support. I had a nightmare.
On the inventory filed on November 28, 2022, Attached as Exhibit A
docket 77 on this case ( 23-07038) the following items were listed:
i. 1998 Dodge Dakota Truck valued at $2,500.
2. 2OOS CHIJ Scooter valued at $500
-
to this day, I still do
not know where the truck or the scooter are.
3. 2014 Mazda, though the title was in my name.
ln addition, there was a liquidation refund of $2,863.50 from a joint
Amex Wells Fargo Credit Card. This refund was not included in the inventory, but the
Personal Representative and her Resident Agent Attorney later acknowledged in her
discharge that she was holding these funds. These funds belonged to my account.
$
Filing # 231823949 E-Filed 09/18/2025 10:25:28 AM

2. Against this very small inventory, the administration expenses have
been overurhelming. The Estate has spent over $110,000. The Personal
Representative/Successor Trustee is requesting more than $47,000, and her
Resident Agent Attorney for the Estate is asking for over $87,000. These figures go
far beyond the value of the Estate itself.
As you can see in Frank email to Neptune Society he was very
conservative with money, on April 24,2021 at 1:54 pm he wrote:
"Sorr5z, but I still do not understand the difference of
amounts between the forms, and what is in this email?
Please double check for me"
He got respond said:
"Hey Frank, sorrJr for any confusion. In the two
attachment, I have put rectangles around the two main
parts of the contract, which include your two total that
equal $2,374.oo"
This is not what my husband wanted. His actions in life prove his
wishes: to keep things simple, to avoid unnecessary costs, and to protect his family.
He never wanted his Estate to be consumed by fees.
I respectfully ask the Court to see the imbalance between the simplicity
of Frank's Estate and the extraordinary expenses now being claimed. My husband's
true intention was to care for his family, not to have his life's work drained away in
this manner.
AI
[urchinski
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing is
being electronically filed with the Pinellas Florida Court's E-Filing Portal
via electronic mail, to Jacqueline Kurchinski, Franklin's daughter at
[email protected] and Franklin's daughter Caroline at
[email protected] and certified US Mail to PR-Successor
Trustee Nancy Gorby at 39820 US Hight 19 N. LOT#145, Tarpon
Springs, FL 34689, this copy was NOT sent to "Resident Agent",
because the beneficiaries and surviving spouses end up paying for two
roles
-
the Per Rep. and the Resident Agent. That is it, two roles, two
fees, I felt their billing was duplicate and very high for a simplicity
Estate.
$r
'i-

3. s|17125,4:49 PM Gmail - Your Neptune Society Options
Frank Kurchinski <[email protected]>
Your Neptune Society Options
3 messages
Jenn ifer Vitale <[email protected]>
To: "fkurchinski@gmail. com" <[email protected]>
Sun, Apr 11,2021 at 1:17 Plt/
Hi Frank,
A little bit about Neptune Society: Neptune Society is the largest, most trusted cremation company in the nation. We
focus on simple, economical cremation. Our most basic plans include all of the necessary aspects of cremation and are
designed so that the family is not required to do anything at the time. When you have a plan with Neptune Society and
you pass away, after you are declared as deceased by a medical professional, that medical professional will call us. We
take you straight into our care and begin the process. Neptune Society contacts social security and produces the death
certificates.
The Standard Neptune Plan is simple and straight to the point. lt includes all of the things necessary for the
cremation, shipping of the remains to designated person or location, contacting social security, and contacting the
veterans society if you are a veteran and need to get a flag or other benefits through them. The Standard Neptune Plan is
$2524 per person.
Our most sold plans through Neptune Society include the "Transportation and Relocation Protection". This addition to
your plan gives you "anlrwhere protection", so you never have to be concerned about moving, or vacationing. This is
$549. The total cost of Neptune Standard Plan with added anywhere protection is $3073 per person.
We have a few more options. Let me know if these interest you.
All of these options can be added to your plan at sign up and removed at any time if you decide you do not want to use
them, or your family decides that they do not want to use them at the time. Any money allotted towards these additions to
your Neptune Plan are kept safe, in a trust, for you.
Peaceful Farewell: Scatter at Sea (We bring you the legal 10 miles out to shore and release you in a biodegradable urn.
A certificate of the coordinates is given to your family. You can choose between many different sea's for the drop, or even
the Rocky Mountains.) lncludes Hidden in My Heart Keepsake Jewelry (Stainless steel) ($499)
ln Loving Memory: Simple, private brief viewing for up to 5 family members, prior to the cremation. Does not involve
embalming. lncludes stainless steel keepsake jewelry, a memorialbook, and 100 prayer cards. ($4SS1
Celebration of Life: Lock in a space for a memorial service at todays costs. Adding this to your plan, provides your family
with the use of space at one of our SCI partner locations. The space will be provided to your family at the time, depending
on how many people they invite. The use of facility, licensed staff, tables, and chairs are all included. Your family can add
features to fit their desires and we can provide for them a TV with video premiere capabilities as well. ($1295)
I added the material in the attachments for the email. There is a GPL (general price list), as well as a list of what the
Neptune Plan includes and the options. We have a few different payment plan options, most of them are $99 down and
$50 per month, 0% interest. lf you let me know which plan and options fit exactly what you are looking for, I can tell you
the payment plan options for that particular plan selection.
Have a great weekend.
The price list is in the attachments, as well as a list of what is included in the Neptune Plan.
Warmest Regards, Jennifer Vitale
Licensed Prearrangement Advisor
C:727478-5669
Neptune Society
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
\L
httpsJ/mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=99509d5UUU*u;"*=Ft&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1696765261499219739&simpl=msg-f:'169676 52614992197 ... 112

4. 5117125,4.49 PM
3 attachments
--1
Neptune Plan lncludes Options.pdf
550K
-J
Summary of Services.pdf
116K
Gmail - Your Neptune Society Options
-J
GPL 04-01-2021.pdf
421K
-{r Frank Kurchinski <[email protected]> Mon, Apr 12,2021 at 6:09 PIII
To : Jen nifer Vital e <jen nifer.vita [email protected]>
{
.n*,
I want the basic package, nothing extra, cardboard container, etc OK? Now how do I go about paying
i\;..,,.
.., t::':::.'
Vitale, Jennifer <[email protected]>
To: Fran k Kurchinski <fku rchinski@gmail. com>
Mon, Apr 12,2021 at 6:21 PM
Alright, Frank. I can get you set up over the phone. First, I will take some basic information and
then more in-depth information for producing your death certificate. After I gather the information,
you will be emailed a prefilled out contract via email from DocuSign. I will explain the contract and
walk you through it. After you sign, it sends me a copy to sign. Then, you get the completed
contract emailed to you. Neptune Society mails you out the paper contracts after about a
week. You can call me anytime this now through this evening, or if you like I can call you. lf so,
when would be a good time?
Best regards, Jennifer Vitale
C:727478-5669
From: Frank Kurchinski <
Sent: Monday, April 12,20216:09:04 PM
To: Vitale, Jennifer
Subject: Re: Your Neptune Society Options
This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
[Quoted text hidden]
\
httpsJ/mail.google.com/mail/u/Oi?ik=99509d5ttttri"rry=Ot&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1696765261499219739&simpl=msg-f:16967652614992197 ... 212

5. 9118125,7:57 AM Gmail - New Member
4E
Frank Kurchinski <[email protected]>
New Member
Vitale, Jennifer <[email protected]>
To : "[email protected]" <fku rchinski@gmail. com>
Sat, Apr 24,2021 at 12:06 PM
Hi Frank,
The total for the plan is $2,374.00. Make the check out to Neptune Society. ln the place where
you put the purpose of the check, please put your membership number which is 196600803334.
ln the following weeks you will receive these items, let me know if you do not get anything in the
time frames below
1. MEM email (You will instantly get a link to put a voice message and messages on an online server
that will post when you pass away and stay up for a year. Sort of an online obituary.)
2. Hard copies of contracts and temporary membership card (takes 1-2 weeks)
3. Momento Chest (With urn and planning book - comes within a few weeks)
4. Hard copies of membership cards (comes within 6 weeks)
fiest Regards, .Iennlfer Vitale
Licensed Prea rrangement Advisor
Neptune Society
256* Tampa R*ad
Falr:r Harbor, FL 34SSd
*ffiu;*: 727-789-69LI
Cell 727-478-5669
Fax [phone]
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111

6. 9118125,7:58 AM Gmail - New Member
Frank Kurchinski <[email protected]>
New Member
--i' Frank Kurchinski <[email protected]> Sat, Apr 24.2021 at 1:54 PM
To : "Vitale, J enn ifer" <Jen n ifer.Vitale@sci-us. com>
Sorry but I still do not understand the difference of amounts between the forms, and what is in this email? Please double
check for me.
[Quoted text hidden]
HY.
b
111

7. 9118125,7:59 AM Gmail - New Member
Frank Kurchinski <[email protected]>
New Member
Vitale, Jennifer <[email protected]> Sat, Apr 24,2021 at 2:08 Plrtl
To: Frank Kurchinski <fkurchinski@gmail-com>
Hey Frank, sorry for any confusion. ln the two attachments, I have put rectangles around the two main parts of the contract, which include your two totals
that equal $2374.0O.
q

8. 9118125,7:59 AM Gmail - New Member
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11. a
9118125,7:59 AM Gmail - New Member
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 24,2021, al1:55 PIr4, Frank Kurchinski <li.rrii:i::iii.kir-iiri.lit"i;J,; ,,..:,r> wrote:
but I still do not undersiand the difference of amounts between what is in this email? Please double check for me.
On Sat, Apr 24,2021 at 12;06 PlVl Vitale, Jennifer <Ji:rrr-riicr.'i:aiei@sci-i;;.i:*ir> wrote:
The total for the plan is $2,374.00. Make the check out to Neptune Society. In the place where you put the
purpose of the check, please put your membership number which is {96600803334.
ln the following weeks you will receive these items, let me know if you do not get anything in the time frames
below.
1. IVlElvi email (You will instantly get a link to put a voice message and messages on an online server that will post
when you pass away and stay up for a year. Sort of an online obituary.)
2, Hard copies of contracts and temporary membership card (takes 1-2 weeks)
3. Momento Chest (With urn and planning book - comes within a few weeks)
4. Hard copies of membership cards (comes within 6 w'eeks)
Frank,H
r\/
tr} tr,
u'1.\
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open atachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Best Regards, Jennifer Vitale
n,r
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12. 9118125,7:59 AM Gmail - New Member
Licensed Prearrangement Advisor
Neptune Society
2560 Tarr'lpa R.cad
Palm Harbar, FL 34684
Sftiee 727-789-6911
Cell 727-478-5669
Fax 727-789-!7!4
www. neptu nesocie.com
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TARPON SPR]NGS
850 E LIME ST
TARPON SPR]NGS, FL 34689-9998
t4jw|/ll. usp6. corll
09/18/2025
09136 AM
TRACKiNG NUMBERS
9589 0710 5270 2999 9045 95
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lieisht: 0 lb 0.50 oz
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