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Estate Battle Erupts Over $13M Townhouse Occupied by Housekeeper - IJR

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Estate Battle Erupts Over $13M Townhouse Occupied by Housekeeper

A luxury Upper East Side townhouse has become the center of a bitter legal fight after the death of its owner left the property in limbo and allegedly locked off from his own estate. According to the New York Post , the…

Andrew Powell·Feb 24, 2026·3 min read

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A luxury Upper East Side townhouse has become the center of a bitter legal fight after the death of its owner left the property in limbo and allegedly locked off from his own estate.

According to the New York Post, the four-story limestone home at 111 East 81st Street, purchased in 2022 by mattress entrepreneur Craig Schmeizer, is now the subject of a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit brought by the entity that owns the property.

Schmeizer died on Nov. 20, 2025.

According to court filings, the LLC that holds the title — controlled by two family trusts — is seeking to remove his housekeeper, Hilarie Page, who the estate says is refusing to vacate and blocking access to the residence.

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Sarah Shalev, Schmeizer’s estranged wife and the trustee of the trusts, is also listed as the personal representative of his estate.

She claims Page was allowed to stay in the home only with Schmeizer’s permission, which the estate argues ended when he died.

“Page was a licensee occupying space in the Building with the permission of Schmeizer,” the complaint states. It adds that the “said license of Page to occupy space in the Building was terminated by virtue of the death of Schmeizer.”

The filing further alleges that Page “has no right to use or occupy any portion of the Building” and has refused to provide a key or allow entry to estate representatives.

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Shalev described a tense phone call shortly after Schmeizer’s death.

“She was extremely hostile, told me she was not going to leave the house because Craig was dead, and it was clear that I would not be allowed into the Building,” she said in an affidavit.

After months of unanswered letters, Shalev and a legal representative attempted to gain access in early February.

“We rang the doorbell many times. pounded on the door and even threw snowballs at windows to get the attention of anybody who might be inside,” she said.

When a locksmith opened the door, the complaint alleges Page “ran toward the door screaming,” and both sides contacted police. Officers ultimately told the estate’s representatives to leave.

The standoff has raised concerns about valuable items inside the home. Court papers state that the wine cellar and artwork must be inventoried and that financial records and potential estate documents remain inside.

The estate also says the property is not generating income and must be sold, which requires access for brokers and inspectors.

Insurance has become another urgent issue. The mortgage holder notified the estate that the policy had expired, and new coverage requires an inspection within 14 days. Without access, the attorney warned, “the Building will be uninsured.”

The estate is asking the court for an injunction to gain entry, prevent the removal of property, and recover what it estimates as $49,000 per month in use and occupancy from the date of Schmeizer’s death.

What was once a showcase home with a chef’s kitchen, large dining room, and garden is now at the center of a legal impasse over control of the multimillion-dollar property.