WOODSTOCK – Accused of exploiting the husband’s elderly father, a couple pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor offenses, but the case was about a dispute between brothers over their father’s estate that should have been handled in probate court, a defense attorney said.

As part of a plea deal, Timothy and Rosemary Zink of Wonder Lake pleaded guilty to obstrucing a peace officer to avoid a trial, said Timothy Zink’s attorney, Dane Loizzo.

They had been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person and theft, both Class 1 felonies typically punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Instead, as part of the deal, they were both sentenced to six months of conditional discharge and ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution to the estate of Walter Zink, Timothy’s father, who has since died.

However, if the Zinks do not repay the money, they will not be penalized. The idea is that probate court will determine who is the rightful heir to Walter Zink’s estate – either Timothy Zink or his brother, Loizzo said.

– Sarah Sutschek