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What was the outcome? My mom lived with us for 10 years and my siblings whom where never around when mom was alive are trying to get her estate to sue us saying she should have had more money when she passed. She lived on a pension of 1600 and they are saying she should have been saving at least 800 of that .My mom was not incompetent so what she did with her money was up to her. They have literally gone through her bank statements for the last 3 years and underlined her purchases and are trying to accuse us of spending her money. I'm not talking big purchases. Her prescriptions, groceries ,clothing ect right down to a $7.29 cent McDonald meal. She made a little over 70,000 in 3.5 years and they are taking us to court for 62,000. I just don't understand people. Then accused me of abuse when I wouldn't hand over money to them.

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Angel, on what grounds are they accusing YOU? Were you acting as proxy under a DPOA for your mother? If you were, any actions you took on her part in that capacity were privileged. You had an obligation to protect her privacy.

I would find an aggressive plaintiff litigation attorney, or an aggressive estate planning attorney, and ask that he/she send them a cease and desist letter and ask whether the family's accusations would be considered slander, libel, or character defamation. If so, ask this attorney to send them a strongly worded letter to that effect, also indicating you have grounds to sue them (if the attorney concurs).

I wouldn't take this sitting down; fight back, starting now.

Have you answered their complaints? Do you have your own attorney? If so, speak with your attorney about countersuing them for harrassments, false allegations and other charges the attorney may think appropriate.
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So true about putting ourselves at risk. I just found out my mother is having a very hard time feeding herself and while early I was asked about a feeding tube. My mothers advanced directive says no. Still I was a bit nervous telling my brother about this new development. I was relieved when he told me he agreed. I didn't relish the thought of what that fight might have been. Another bullet dodged.
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HA, yes I was accused of financial exploitation by my twisted sisters. One of the TS's had Mom's POA and knew that there was no exploitation of any sort occurring. In fact, the opposite as I was paying some of Mom's expenses. My suggestion is put a spreadsheet together of what it cost you to care for mom. Utilities, rent, caregiving, groceries etc. Are you mom's POA? If so, you can get an attorney that is paid for with Mom's money.
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Last night I was thinking about how being a family caregiver opens us to criminal charges and civil suits. Somebody may feel that we didn't take proper precautions or that we wrongly spent money. Being a nice person can be risky at times.
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Jessie, so, soo, soooo true! I think those by family and meddling observers (who don't understand that caregivers aren't powered by batteries that can simply be plugged in and recharged) are the worst.
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In what sort of court are you being sued? Have you been served with legal papers?
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Funny this would come up, my brother and I were just talking about this yesterday. The situation is a bit different. I have one cousin who is suing his brother who is executor of their parents estate - he's not doing it fast enough. Family!
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They are trying to take us to Supreme court. Yes they have filed papers and we are waiting for the discovery process. Could be years as we are in Canada and its not important to the system so wont be pushed through real fast.
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