Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Inheritance Case Could Break Legal Ground

Patricia J. English is very much alive, but that hasn't stopped her kids from squabbling over who gets the 78-year-old Scottsdale woman's house when she passes away.

In a Maricopa County Superior Court complaint that could break legal ground in Arizona, Robert Jaeger says his brothers and sisters persuaded their mom to revise her will to cut him out. He is seeking more than $1 million in punitive and compensatory damages, far more than English's home is worth.

Legal experts and advocates for the elderly say the case could further erode the rights of older Americans, who face increasing challenges to their independence.

Arizona law is silent on the issue of whether a person can be sued for interfering with an expected inheritance. A few states provide for such a tort, but only Maine and Florida allow claims while the estate owner is alive.

Full Article and Source:
Valley inheritance case imperils rights of elderly

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

One thing is sure, no matter how this turns out, the lawyers will profit!