Heemstra-Lyon Dispute Continues

February 28, 2011 | Erin Herbold

The Heemstra/Lyon dispute has had many developments.  Here, the Heemstra family appeals a trial court ruling that they transferred substantial real estate holdings to various family trusts and other entities in an effort to hinder and delay creditors.  But, the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s award to the Lyon estate of approximately $200,000 in compensatory damages and punitive damages of nearly $750,000. The Heemstras’ argued, on appeal, that there was no conspiracy to defraud the Lyon Estate.  However, the estate argued that there was, indeed, a conspiracy, and that the Heemstras did not properly appeal the trial court’s decision in this case. Thus, because they did not comply with the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, the Heemstra family lost yet another appeal.   Estate of Lyon v. Heemstra, No. 1-029/10-1025, 2011 Iowa App. LEXIS 83 (Iowa Ct. App., Feb. 9, 2011).