What are my rights if I had a 9-10 year relationship with a woman who just recently passed?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What are my rights if I had a 9-10 year relationship with a woman who just recently passed?
During this time I have, of course, bought her many items such as jewelry, a computer, etc. Also during this time I cared for her home, in which I also lived with her off and on and currently reside. I maintained it, paid for improvements, paid the taxes once. I took care of this woman in sickness and health until her death 3 weeks ago. I guess she had a will made before we met. I have not seen it. She also had 5k in the home which she told her niece was for me in partial payment on her sons debt to me. Her son came into the house, took all the papers and the cash meant for me and is now laying claim to everything, including everything I bought and paid for. What can I do?
Asked on October 17, 2013 under Estate Planning, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You have no rights to any of her belongings--including anything you gifted to her (since once gifted, they belong to the recipient)--unless she did will them to you; a nonmarital relationship does not create inheritance rights, and voluntarily paying taxes, etc. for someone else's home does not create rights in the home. Her belongings will pass by her will; or if she has no will, by intestate succession, which will be to her children, not to an unmarried romantic partner. Anything which you can prove was yours, not hers (e.g. say that the computer was actually your computer, but you let her use it), the son would have to return, though proving it was yours may be difficult.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.