For years, serial litigant Antonio Di Liristi has dragged his brother through courts and tribunals in a bitter family war that has now erupted into a Supreme Court inheritance battle over a Sydney estate and the exhumation of their
parents' bodies.
Brothers Antonio Di Liristi and Kostas Liristis are locked in a probate fight over the estates of their late parents, Rita Liristis and Tasos Liristis, after years of courtroom warfare that began long before either parent died.
Antonio claims his parents died without valid wills, while Kostas is seeking probate of copies of 2010 wills that allegedly left the entire estate to him.
However, Antonio alleges the documents are forgeries and points to the fact that the original wills have never been produced.
Under the disputed wills, Antonio would receive just $1,000 because his parents allegedly lost $300,000 after mortgaging their home to fund one of his business ventures, which ultimately failed.
The feud became so toxic that Antonio sought permission to exhume his parents' bodies and return them to Greece for reburial, a move fiercely opposed by Kostas.
NSW Supreme Court Justice Michael Slattery described a relationship marked by extreme hostility, saying the brothers were routinely aggressive towards one another in court.
'Without lawyers they fought the proceedings with what can only be described as intense mutual revulsion,' he wrote.
Serial litigant Antonio Di Liristi (pictured) has been branded 'obnoxious' and 'breathtakingly self-destructive' by judges who have overseen the extensive list of cases he's brought before the courts over many decades
At the centre of the dispute is a modest Lakemba apartment (pictured) worth about $555,000
'They were usually aggressive towards one another in the courtroom, ready on the slightest provocation, or even no provocation, to shout insults at the other.'
Justice Slattery said the proceedings had been 'chaotic' and 'acutely difficult to case manage', with sheriff's officers required to attend hearings to keep order.
'Their presence saved the parties' passionate dislike for one another propelling them into contempt of court.'
Their parents died less than eight weeks apart in late 2023, leaving behind a Lakemba apartment worth about $555,000, along with the question of whether the 2010 wills are genuine.
Justice Slattery refused Antonio's bid to take control of the estates, instead appointing an independent administrator to manage the assets while the brothers continue to fight over the wills.
The court also blocked any attempt to exhume the couple's remains without further court approval.
The hostility intensified after the brothers entered into a signed settlement deed in August that would have placed Antonio in control of the estates, sold the Lakemba unit, divided the estate 60-40 and allowed both parents' remains to be exhumed and returned to Greece.
The deal collapsed days later when Kostas withdrew his consent, claiming he had signed after years of threats of endless litigation.
Rita Liristis is pictured with son Antonio
Justice Slattery said the proceedings had been 'chaotic' and 'acutely difficult to case manage', with sheriff's officers required to attend hearings to keep order
Justice Slattery said Antonio had demonstrated 'a desire to impose his own will on his brother' and expressed concern he would use the role of administrator as 'an instrument of his dominance'.
Kostas even sought an order preventing Antonio from contacting him 'by any means whatsoever, including but not limited to telephone, email, text message, social media, written correspondence or in person'.
The probate fight is merely the latest chapter in a family war that has been raging through courts and tribunals for years.
Tribunal decisions reveal Antonio was already battling for control of their parents' affairs by 2019 after concerns were raised by the South Western Sydney Local Health District about the welfare of the elderly couple.
Antonio challenged arrangements involving the NSW Trustee and Guardian, arguing his parents were being poorly cared for, over-medicated and that he, rather than a state-appointed guardian, should be responsible for making decisions on their behalf.
The challenge failed.
In one judgment, a judge described Antonio's conduct as 'obnoxious', noted he had a 'history of litigious outings', and found aspects of his behaviour were 'breathtakingly self-destructive'.
A lawyer appointed to represent the elderly couple captured the family dynamic bluntly, telling the tribunal: 'They're two brothers who I'm sure both love their parents, I have no doubt about that, but unfortunately they hate each other.'
The judgment also records Antonio telling the tribunal he made his first million at 19 and his first $10million by 30.
Outside the courtroom, Antonio presents himself as a serial entrepreneur. His LinkedIn profile lists interests across a wide range of ventures, including luxury cars, container homes, marinas, superyachts and animal agistment.
But he also has a long and well-documented history in the NSW legal system and automotive industry.
In 2004, NSW Fair Trading issued Antonio with a lifetime ban from holding a motor repairer's licence or managing a motor vehicle repair business after finding he engaged in deceptive invoicing, overcharging and fraudulent business practices. He was reportedly the first NSW repair specialist to receive such a ban.
Since then, he has been involved in numerous civil disputes, family court proceedings and criminal matters that have generated a lengthy court record.
The history suggests the dispute did not begin with Rita and Tasos Liristis' deaths.
Years before the current probate battle, the brothers were already fighting over who should control their parents' finances, welfare and medical decisions while they were still alive.
Now that conflict has returned to the Supreme Court, where the fate of the disputed wills, the Lakemba apartment and the couple's estate remain unresolved.
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