I'm not sure if Ive asked on this forum yet. Apoligize if so. My mom was married 30 years and after dementia set in, her very ill husband's kids came in and had their joint accounts changed to his name and added them, changed his will leaving my mom a life estate even though they had taken out three mortgages through the years and both paid them off. They had my mom sign over his truck to them. They even had beneficiaries changed. They recieved apr. $350,000 with the house while my mom has a life estate and $2,000. We have it in probate, but a small town that really doesn't know what they're doing. So our lawyer came to us on Friday with a $2,500 settlement. We said no way, he wanted us to counter and so we did ask for $35,000, which was just for the joint bank account and a promissory note. Get this, our lawyer said their was way too much of a difference between the two and would rather we had someone else represent us. By the way, this has been going on for over a year, our attorney also didn't want to go against the attorney who wrote a new will. So I've called the news, state govenor and attorney generals office, I'm waiting for them to review. Anyone been in this situation.
I am very sorry to hear about this family dispute over money. I know its hard. Please consult with an elder law attorney. Do not be afraid to get a second and third opinion. It is hard to combat fraud, but do what you can and I hope you get the settlement you want.