sylvie
02-28-2008, 07:59 PM
Long Story - My grandmother's cousin has alzheimer's and won't be leaving the nursing home. She does not have a will. Because of the distance(she is in another state) and the disaster her finances were in - she hadn't paid taxes in three years, my family and I found a lawyer who has now been named her guardian and executor.
This cousin has no direct heirs but 6 second cousins including my mother and my aunt. No of these "heirs" know she exists - my mom and I were unaware of her until last summer when my elderly aunt called concerned about this cousin's well-being. We checked on her, found her living in squalor and suffering from dementia AND pneumonia. Because of my mother and my efforts, we believe her life was saved.
My question is - is the cousin's guardian obligated to find every member of the family, or can the guardian and executor name my mother as sole heir? The lawyer/guardian now has complete control of all the cousin's assests and financial matters.
This cousin has no direct heirs but 6 second cousins including my mother and my aunt. No of these "heirs" know she exists - my mom and I were unaware of her until last summer when my elderly aunt called concerned about this cousin's well-being. We checked on her, found her living in squalor and suffering from dementia AND pneumonia. Because of my mother and my efforts, we believe her life was saved.
My question is - is the cousin's guardian obligated to find every member of the family, or can the guardian and executor name my mother as sole heir? The lawyer/guardian now has complete control of all the cousin's assests and financial matters.