TRUMBULL COUNTY Leon-Games, woman reach accord on will

Relatives had thought there was no will.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A settlement is expected to be filed this week in Trumbull County Probate Court concerning the will of a Warren man that left the bulk of his estate to Patricia Leon-Games, former Warren treasurer.
Attorneys for Leon-Games and the man's daughter have agreed to a settlement, said Judge Thomas Swift.
Maria Bernat contested the will of her father, Tadeusz Stefanowicz.
A trial was set for last month but was postponed when attorneys told the court they were close to reaching an agreement.
If a settlement is not reached, the trial will be rescheduled, court officials said.
Atty. James Fredricka, Bernat's lawyer, could not be reached.
Crux of case
Court documents show the will, dated Jan. 24, 2002, leaves $2,500 to Stefanowicz's two sisters, $5,000 to his grandson and $100 to his daughter.
The rest of the $257,000 estate was left to Leon-Games.
Leon-Games said she was friends with Stefanowicz, who lived on Oakdale Drive Northwest.
Stefanowicz, 71, died May 9, 2002. Relatives thought he did not leave a will. Atty. Donald R. Ford Jr. was appointed estate administrator.
A few months after Stefanowicz's death, a will was found in his freezer, court records state.
sinkovich@vindy.com