Can someone be forced against their will to sign papers?
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Can someone be forced against their will to sign papers?
My pre-fiancee has been called in to agree to the last will of his mother who just died 48 hours ago. We suspect that monies have already been moved from her holdings. His brother and father are very greedy. Does my pre-fiancee have to sign anything at all right now? Can’t he wait until he acquires a lawyer? (I ask because several years ago they forced him – under duress, and physically – to sign away his house, his membership in the family trusts, and a promissory note to pay his father a quarter of a million dollars via monthly payments.) Estate is worth millions if not billions.
Asked on June 21, 2012 under Estate Planning, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
People are forced to sign documents every day under duress. If there truly is duress then the person who signs them can seek to set them aside under the law. He should sign nothing else at this point in time unless and until he has his own attorney review everything. Good luck.
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