I have a ? on GREED

[renfrowridge]

As you know my wife mother in law passed away about 3 weeks ago. Here is my ? Why when someone dies does it bring out the GREED in the family my wife is a only child but there is a aunt my mother in law sister after all that has gone on my mother in law sister money is her God and what she can get for free. Why is it this way and if you can help what can we do about this.
With out ending up in court.
thanks
Chuck

[etothepii]

People are capable of ruining everything -- sadly, even the memory of a departed loved one. The lust for money is the root of all evil, after all, and we can all be suckers for it.

In this situation, you may be best advised to "win by losing." Not that this is a competition, but some times, we are best off in a situation if we just let the other side ave their way, and be done with the whole situation.

[Lemaitre]

Originally Posted by renfrowridge

As you know my wife mother in law passed away about 3 weeks ago. Here is my ? Why when someone dies does it bring out the GREED in the family my wife is a only child but there is a aunt my mother in law sister after all that has gone on my mother in law sister money is her God and what she can get for free. Why is it this way and if you can help what can we do about this.
With out ending up in court.
thanks
Chuck

I am not a lawyer but will share what I have learned from experience with you. First of all, did your Mother in Law have a will? If she did her estate must be disposed of as the will stipulates. When people die intestate (without a will) these kinds of conflicts can arise so everyone should have a will. Depending on the laws of your state, If she did die intestate, the estate will have to go through probate and a judge will determine how her estate is to to be handled. In most states, Children are given priority over siblings so most likely your wife will be determined to be the sole rightful heir by the court. If you present these facts to the aunt she might realize she has no chance of winning in court and will cease her efforts to obtain all or part of the inheritance.

[Kosherboy]

Yes Greed is very much a Factor when Family Dies.
I have gone through it several times with My wife's family, but since we leave everything to the Lord , it has always being resolved fairly.
As Lemaitre said , it is very important that one should have a will. In the State Of Fla, someone who dies without one, the family will go through a lot of Grief and most of the probate Courts down here are ran by very old Judges and you never know what crazy disposition you may end up with.

[renfrowridge]

Thanks guys for all the help. Bottom line is this my wifes mother and father were devorce 25 years ago all my wife wants is what her mother own the most important is the wedding rings that her father gave her mother we dont really care about the money the Lord has been very good to me and my wife. But the rings were takin while my mother in law was in the hosp. We have been thinking about reporting them stoleing and telling the police who took them we know the aunts family took them because they were the only ones that had keys to her house If we do this it will destory the family we dont want to do this but we may have to.

again thanks

Chuck

[LBR]

Check with a lawyer--in some cases/states, a will doesn't mean a thing. Who's name is on a deed, bank account, who is a child or spouse, etc. superceeds the will. Unfortunately I know this from experience.