Resolving Forever: How The Pregen Firm Handled a Fort Lauderdale Cemetery Mix-Up

Recently, a family now residing in Texas approached The Pregen Firm concerning a contract they made to have their matriarch buried next to their late father.

A Sacred Contract

In 2013, Ms. George entered into a contract with Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, owned by the City of Fort Lauderdale. She intended to be buried directly next to her late husband, who was also interred at the cemetery. She signed the contract and paid in full. Just days ago, she passed away.

Tragically, her family learned that the plot she had purchased had been sold to someone else. To make matters worse, that someone had already been buried in the plot. The family was told that their mother could be buried elsewhere or that their father could be exhumed. Obviously, this was unacceptable. A contract for internment is not like most contracts.

The Challenge of Specific Performance

Most times, we can demand specific performance, requiring the other side to fulfill their agreement. However, in this case, where someone had already been buried in the exact plot reserved for Ms. George, specific performance seemed impossible.

CBS News covered the initial story here.

Some contracts, especially internment contracts, are sacred. They are designed to last into eternity. Ms. George expected that when she signed that contract, she was ensuring her resting place next to her husband.

The Role of the Funeral Home

To complicate matters further, the funeral home that facilitated the internment contract was the entity that purchased the plot on paper. The City of Fort Lauderdale pointed its finger at this funeral home as the responsible party.

However, as far as The Pregen Firm was concerned, the funeral home was merely a broker for the city-owned cemetery. The contract itself stated that the funeral home acted as the cemetery's broker. This situation highlights the importance of careful contract review.

The result can be that the responsible parties end up fighting amongst themselves about how to rectify the situation. Fortunately, The Pregen Firm made things right.

A Happy Resolution

We were thrilled to learn that for the George family, our efforts paid off. Ms. George made a vow to her late husband on their wedding day to stand by him in sickness and in health, until death do us part. Fortunately, we were able to deliver even more.

In the end, we helped the family navigate this complex legal challenge. We ensured that Ms. George's wishes were honored, allowing her to rest beside her husband as she had always intended.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of having a dedicated legal team. When faced with complex disputes, having the right representation can make all the difference.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, remember that you deserve personalized, effective legal representation. The Pregen Firm is here to help you navigate tough legal challenges and achieve favorable outcomes, whether it's keeping your home or getting fair compensation.

See CBS Miami's coverage of the conclusion here.