Discovery-Monetary Sanctions

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WI Court of Appeals – District I

Case Name: Frank Liska v. Pamela Bublitz

Case No.: 2022AP000064

Officials: Brash, C.J., Donald, P.J., and Dugan, J.

Focus: Discovery-Monetary Sanctions

Frank and Rose Liska named Pamela Bublitz to serve as their Financial Power of Attorney (POA). At the time of Bublitz’s appointment as POA, Frank and Rose were 93 and 89 years old, respectively. Bublitz appeals orders of the circuit court granting partial summary judgment against her in favor of Karen Shoman, Special Administrator for the Estate of Frank Liska (Special Administrator) and Rose Liska (Rose), and granting sanctions against Bublitz for discovery violations. Upon review, the appeals court affirms the circuit court’s orders granting partial summary judgment and imposing sanctions of default judgment in favor of the Liskas and dismissing Bublitz’s counterclaims. However, the appeals court reverses the circuit court’s order granting the specific dollar amount ordered as part of the sanction and remand with directions to explain how the court determined the specific amounts awarded as part of the sanction.

Affirmed, Reversed and Remanded.

Decided 07/25/23

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