Real estate mogul pleads for settlement

Even judge voices doubt that accord on dividing of real estate empire is near.

Burt Handelsman, 90, says he’s ready to move on in divvying up his $500M property empire, but his wife and children aren’t ready.

WEST PALM BEACH — Saying he is tired of paying millions to lawyers to defend his $500 million real estate empire from attacks from his children and wife, 90-year-old Burt Handelsman on Wednesday insisted he is ready to divide his vast holdings and move on.

“At the expense of sounding weak or frail, I have been begging you to get this thing settled for months and months and months,” he told attorney Joel Weissman, who is representing his wife, Lucille, known as Lovey, in the complex divorce.

Noting that the trial will be suspended today, he suggested all sides take advantage of the lull to negotiate a resolution. “We can settle the case and the judge doesn’t have to see us anymore,” he declared.

But minutes after Burt extended what appeared to be an olive branch, it became clear that a deep chasm remains about how to fairly split the empire, which includes shops on Worth Avenue, restaurants and office buildings in Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, bars in Key West and antique stores in upstate New York.

Even Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer voiced skepticism that, after two years of contentious litigation, an accord was within reach.

“That hasn’t happened,” said Suskauer, who on Monday granted 89-yearold Lovey’s request to end the couple’s nearly 70-year marriage and is now trying to figure out how to divide the

LANNIS WATERS / THE PALM BEACH POST Burt Handelsman testifies Tuesday in his divorce from his wife, Lucille “Lovey” Handelsman. In dispute is much of the Palm Beach couple’s $500 million-plus real estate empire.