TheFloridaBarRobertPersanteNo26-3129.pdf

My Experience with Attorney Robert Persante - from Potential Client to the "Judge"

After my husband Frank passed away, I had to deal with his estate in court. It was a very stressful and painful time for me and my daughters.

Looking for a Lawyer

In March 2023, I contacted attorney Robert Persante. I explained my problems:

The trust was missing the list of assets (Schedule “A”).

My husband and I had a prenuptial agreement from 2001.

Another attorney, Michael Kouskoutis, was both a witness to my husband’s will and later the lawyer for the Personal Representative.

I believed Mr. Persante had the right experience to help me. We spoke by phone for about 25 minutes. But he declined to take my case, even when I offered to pay $5,000 upfront. We never signed a contract.

Later, He Became the Special Master Magistrate “Judge”

Months later, in October 2023, I was shocked to learn that Mr. Persante had been appointed as Special Magistrate (like a special judge) in my husband’s estate trial.

I emailed Judge Coleman asking:

Who chose Mr. Persante for this role?

Why should my family trust pay his fees?

I never got a reply.

Payment from My Family’s Money

Later, I found out that the trustee paid over $12,000 to Mr. Persante’s law firm for his work as Special Magistrate. That money came out of my family trust—not from the court.

About 60% came from my 20% share.

About 40% came from my daughter Jacqueline’s share.

Neither of us agreed to this.

Why This Feels Unfair

This situation left me with many concerns:

How can a lawyer I once tried to hire, who declined my case, later act as judge in the same matter?

How is it fair that his pay came from the beneficiaries’ money, which was controlled by the other side?

How can families trust the system when there are conflicts of interest like this?

My Request

I asked The Florida Bar to investigate if this was proper and ethical. Families like mine should not have to lose their inheritance to attorney fees and appointments that do not feel impartial or fair.

1. The Florida Bar
651 East Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300
Joshua E. Doyle
Executive Director
850/561 -5600
www.floridabar.org
September 18,2025
Ms Alessandra C Kurchinski
969 Sunrise Drive
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Re: Robert Persante; RFA No. 26-3129
Dear Ms. Kurchinski.
This will acknowledge receipt of your correspondence regarding Robert Persante.
After review of the content of your letter, more information is required in order for The
Florida Bar to proceed.
ln your complaint, you wrote the following, "l also question the conflict of interest. I had
once tried to hire Mr. Persante as my attorney, but he declined. Later, he was appointed
to act as 'the judge' in my family's case."
Please provide information concerning the nature of the case you previously spoke to
[/lr. Persante about and the information you provided to him. Please include a case
number if the matter you spoke to Mr. Persante about was filed with the Court.
Please provide a clear written statement which describes the circumstances
surrounding your situation as well as a clear statement which describes the specific
conduct you allege the attorney engaged in which forms the basis of your complaint
and/or request for assistance. Your submission must not exceed 25 pages. lf no
additional information is received, this matter will not be processed further.
Sincerely,
tu
Christopher Stephen Wackes, Bar Counsel
Attorney Consumer Assistance Prog ram
ACAP Hotline [phone]

2. Alessandra C. Kurchinski
969 Sunrise Drive, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
September 24,2025
The Florida Bar
651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300
Re: Robert Persante; RFA No. 26-3129
Dear Bar Counsel,
This letter is in response to your request for additional information regarding
the nature of the case that I spoke to attorney Robert Persante, in the matter of
Estate of Franklin R. Kurchinski, Case No. 22-010189-ES (Pinellas County).
History
I will do my best to explain the events from my heart and from memory. On
December 28, 2A22, the Personal Representative, Nancy Gorby, filed a document
with the court titled "Response to Beneficiary's Communication and Objection." lt
contained 28 paragraphs that I believe misled the court and included false
accusations. Additionally, she filed the Franklin R. Kurchinski Revocable Trust
without including the referenced Schedule "A", which was supposed to list the trust
assets under Article l, "Trust Assets."
ln response, I hired attorney Daniel dePaz, who filed a correspondence to the
court on January 30, 2023, titled "Denial and Admission " Mr. de Paz charged me
$350 for that filing but did not initially explain that he would also charge the same
hourly rate for "internal communications". He stayed on the case for approximately
two months. By March 2023, I had consented to his withdrawal,from the case, as I
could no longer afford his fees, which had exceeded $5,500 for a very low
assistance. Approximately 98% of all court correspondence filed on my side was "pro
se" by me and my daughters. During that time, I was actively searching on the
internet for a new attorney, because I was told I needed someone with experience in
trial litigation and trust law.
After searching online for a trial litigation attorney near me, I found the law firm
Persante Zuroweste, https:llpersantelaw.comlcontact-us/ contact {727)796-7666,
I
saw his picture and I read his background, I thought he had a right experience for the
case. So, I emailed Mr. Persante on March 21,2A23, at9.24 PM
"From: Alessandra Kurchinski
Sent: Tuesday, March 21,2023,9:24 PM
us,r,

3. To: [email protected]
Subject: Successor Trustee vs. Beneficiary
Dear Attorney,
Can you take a new case?
Thanks,
Alessandra"
I do not recall whether I attached any documents to that email. ln 2024, I
deleted many files from my computer to free up space, so I no longer have copies of
the attachments. At that time, I was under extreme emotional distress due to my
husband's passing and the ovenrvhelming probate issues. I believed Mr. Persante
was the right attorney to help bring an end to the legal nightmare, but unfortunately,
things did not unfold as I had hoped.
TRIED TO HIRE BOB PERSANTE
ln March 2023, I contacted Mr. Persante's office to look for legal
representation in my late husband's probate and trust estate. My worries included
the missing Schedule "A" from the Franklin R. Kurchinski Revocable Trust (2006), the
premarital agreement that my husband and I signed in Brazil on October 8,2001
(and which my husband later recorded in Palm Beach County, Florida), and what I
believed to be a possible conflict of interest involving attorney Michael Kouskoutis,
who both witnessed my husband's will and later represented the Personal
Representative, Nancy Gorby.
I initially spoke by phone to someone ( woman voice) at N/r. Persante's office,
and later had a brief free phone consultation with Mr. Persante. The call lasted
around 25 minutes. I explained the key facts of the case, including the issues with the
trust, the premarital agreement, and the will and testament. He told me he charged
by the hour and declined to take my case. I offered to pay him $5,000 upfront and
after I get my funds, trust assets, but he showed no interest in representing me or my
daughters. We never signed a contract, it was only an initial consultation.
I was devastated when Bob Persante declined my case. I felt hopeless. I
avoided reaching out to other attorneys for months. I felt that if I were the trustee, or
had more money, he might have taken the case. I also felt some discrimination, as
English is not my first language-l am from Brazil, and I often struggled to
understand legal words such as "trial," "hearing," "assets," "probate," and "estate."
"fees". lt was all very confusing to me, I cried most of the time! Meanwhile, I had no
access to our family's funds, since the trust funds were under the successor trustee's
rt

4. control [Vlrs Gorby. I was mourning the loss of my husband and also the loss of our
financial security. His decline gave me a lot of anxiety for days without sleep.
AFTER DEGLINED
Unable to afford any attorney that charged more than $5,000 upfront and
disappointed after contacting Mrs Persante office. I continued filing documents with
the court as "self representation". For example: On ft/arch 30,2023 (Docket M7),1
informed the court that I did not have access to Schedule "A" and that the Personal
Representative was not communicating with me. On Docket #37,.|informed the court
about the prenuptial agreement (which provides for a 50150 division of assets) and
raised the issue of the 30% elective share, which I believed was relevant to the
estate.
I began suffering from panic attacks due to the stress and trauma of the
situation. And I showed up as "self representation" with my daughters in the court
"trial" on October 26, 2023 after I returned from a long trip from Brazil on October 25.
No attorney with us! And Mr. Persante the'Judge trial".
APPOINTED AS SPECIAL MASTER MAGISTRATE
ln October 4, 2023, I was shocked to discover that [Vr. Persante had been
appointed as Special [\4aster Magistrate (special "Judge") in my late husband's estate
for a full-day trial. On 10/1312A231 emailed to the judge Coleman: "Section3" this:
" S ecti o n 3 " <fu
_qtiffri@jud$_srg>
"GOOD AFTERNOON
Your Honor,
I'd like to know if the attorney, i\4ichae1 Kouskoutis,
involved in Motion #156, is the same attorney
mentioned ln Report #160, where Robert Persant,
E*q., was appointed as Special Master/Magistrate
on October 4,2023.
We don't agree with using our familSr trust funds to
cover the Special Master/Magistrate's costs. My
husband's expressed his wishes in his wills and
Revocable Trust, indicating he didn't want his estate
to go through probate.
Very Respectftrliy!
Alessandra Kurchinski
Widorv of Franklin R. Kurchinski"
Nh
)

5. I want to know who picked t\Ar. Robert Persante to be the Special l/agistrate in
my case 22-010189-ES. Did Judge Coleman choose him, or did Attorney Michael
Kouskoutis recommend him and then the Court approved?
Before, another party suggested [t/r. George Greer to be mediator, and later
the Court appointed him. I think the same may have happened with Mr. Persante. [\Iy
worry was that when the Personal Representative's lawyer suggests people to be
mediator or special magistrate
-
and their fees are paid from the family trust that
they were in control of
-
it does not feel fair. lt looks like a conflict of interest and
lack of impartiality.
I never got a response to this email. I thought his position was paid by the
Court. Later, I felt he would not be impartial because he is an attorney for the
Trustee or connected to the people who can pay his fees. And he had already
declined my case.
DISBURSEMENT FROM MY ASSETS AND BENEFICIARY ASSETS
After one year from the Trial, I got the Second Annual Account from Successor
Trustee, I believe was around October 2A24. I was even more surprised to learn that
the successor trustee paid Persante Zuroweste over $12,000, that I believe for the
trial, and from my family trust funds (60% from my 20o/o share, and 40o/o from my
daughter Jacqueline's share). Without my daughter Jacqueline and I approval of his
fees.
REQUEST
I respectfully request that The Florida Bar investigate whether Mr. Persante's
actions were consistent with ethical rules and whether this situation was appropriate
or in the best interest of grieving families dealing with probate and trust
administration.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please let me know if I
can provide any additional information or clarification.
pectfully,
AI ki
Widow of Franklin R Kurchinski
+,p
I

6. Outlook
2022-CP-10189 ES
From alessand ra kurchi nski < alessandraxp@ hotmail.com >
Date Fri 20n-14-1'3 3:41 PM
To Section3 <[email protected] >
Cc Nancy Gorby <[email protected]>; Mary Andersen <[email protected]>; Jacqueline Kurchinski
<[email protected]>; Cici Kurchinski <[email protected]>; Kelly Smallwood
< [email protected] >
Bcc Robert Smallwood <[email protected]>
GOOD AFTERNOON
Your Honor, l'd like to know if the attorney, Ir4ichael Kouskoutis, involved in Motion #156, is the
same attorney mentiCIned in Report#150, where Robert Persant, Esq., was appointed as Special
lvlaster/l\ilagistrate on October 4, 2023.
We don't agree with using our family trust funds to cover the Special Vlaster/Magistrate's costs.
\4y husband's expressed his wishes in his wills and Revocable Trust, indicatinq he didn't want his
estate to go thr"ough probate.
Very Respectfullyl
Alessandra Kurchinski
Widow of Franklirr R. Kurchinski
-\q

7. ffi outlook
Re: Sucessor Trustee vs beneficiary
From alessandra kurchinski < [email protected] >
Date Fri 2A25-08-29 5:29 PM
To [email protected] <[email protected]>
Cc JacquelineKurchinski <[email protected]>
$ 2 attachments (9 MB)
EstateSecondAnnualAccounting2024.pdf; EstateTrustNoticeSupplAnnualAccounting2025.pdf;
Dear Honor,
Special Master Magistrate Bob Persante
On March 21,2023, you did not want take my case that time, I told you I only can pay 5 S,O0O
later; the Successor Trustee of my husband's Estate send the Second Annual Accounting with $ 12,A67.75 as
disbursements 50% from my assets.
This is a lot money to take from my assets, and I did NOT get information about your "hours rates" invoice, or flat
fue.for the service on October 26,2023.1 thought you were the "Judge", and paid by Government, by this time.
We called you "honor", "judge",
And the Successor Trustee continues charges fees; her attorney overbills my family trust. Your Report and
Recommendations pay them around 5 60,000.00, but on January L5,2025 they sent the Second Annual
Accounting with S L34,28I.LA. I feel this not unfuir, is very excessive fees.
Sorry if I bother you! Pray for Lord bring peace and happiness to my family!
Alessandra Kurchinski
969 Sunrise Dr.
Tarpon Springs, FL
34689
Phone: [phone]
From: alessand ra kurchinski
Sent: Tuesday, March 2L,2A23 9:24 PM
To: fi rm @
persa ntelaw.com <fi rm @
pe rsa ntelaw.com >
Subject: Sucessor Trustee vs beneficiary
Dear attorney,
Can take new case?
Thanks
Alessandra
$\!
b
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