A multimillion-dollar Manhattan townhouse once associated with high-end New York living is now the focus of a tense legal fight following the death of its owner, mattress entrepreneur Craig Schmeizer.

Court filings show that the four-story limestone home at 111 E. 81st St., purchased in 2022, has become the subject of litigation between Schmeizer’s estate and his longtime housekeeper, Hilarie Page, who the estate alleges refuses to vacate the property. The dispute, first reported by Curbed and detailed in filings reviewed by the New York Post, is unfolding in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Schmeizer, 52, died on Nov. 20, 2025. His estranged wife, neurologist Sarah Shalev, is listed in court papers as trustee of the family trusts that control the property-holding entity, 111 NYC LLC, and as the personal representative under his will. According to the complaint, Page had been permitted to live in the home during Schmeizer’s lifetime but lost that right upon his death.

The estate claims Page has since denied representatives access to the 6,650-square-foot residence, even as they attempt to inventory valuable assets inside. In an affidavit, Shalev described a hostile phone conversation shortly after Schmeizer’s death, alleging Page said she would not leave and would not allow entry.

The standoff escalated in early February when estate representatives attempted to enter the home with a locksmith. Court documents say Page confronted them, prompting both sides to call police, who ultimately directed the estate’s team to leave.

Why the Case Matters

While high-value real estate disputes are not uncommon in New York, legal experts say this case highlights the murky territory surrounding “licensee” occupancy — when someone lives in a property with permission but without a formal lease. In many cases, removing such occupants can still require court intervention, particularly when estates and probate issues are involved.

“The death of a property owner often triggers complex possession questions,” said one New York real estate attorney not involved in the case. “Even when the estate believes the right to occupy has ended, due process still applies.”

The estate argues the impasse carries financial risk. Filings warn that valuable wine, artwork, and financial records inside the home cannot be properly inventoried. More urgently, attorneys say the property’s insurance coverage is conditional on an inspection that the estate claims it cannot complete without access.

According to court papers, one insurer declined coverage, while an alternative carrier quoted a premium of about $135,000. Without inspection access, the estate warns, the property could be left uninsured.

The LLC is seeking court orders to compel access and is requesting roughly $49,000 per month in use-and-occupancy payments until it regains possession.

Neither Page nor Shalev responded to media requests for comment.

What Comes Next

The case now rests with the court, which will weigh property rights, estate authority, and occupancy protections. Analysts note that beyond the personal dispute, the outcome could serve as a cautionary example for property owners who allow informal living arrangements in high-value homes.

For now, one of the Upper East Side’s more luxurious residences remains dark — and legally contested.