Who has first family legal rights over my dad - me or my grandmother?
Dear Experts,
This is a question about my father.
He is 61 and moved back in with his parents twelve years ago, after my mother divorced him. My sister and I have been in and out of his life, due to his bad drinking habits.
He is getting older and recently was hit by a car. He is doing well! Yet there is a concern.
My grandmother is going to force him to sign over any settlement money to her (from the accident).
My dad is also 75% mentally disabled and feels he has no other place to go. He will also not inherit anything from my grandmother, even if some of that money will be from him.
My question is: What kind of legal rights as his eldest son do I have over his own mother?
Thanks,
J
Expert Answer
If, indeed, your father were to be "forced" to sign over any settlement money to his mother, the transfer would be challengeable in court as not being valid because it was done under duress. However, you are much better off dealing with the matter pre-emptively rather than responding to the transfer after it has happened.
If your father is, as you indicate "75% mentally disabled" you may wish to consider applying to court to be designated as either his conservator or his guardian. As his conservator, your duty is to manage his financial affairs. As a guardian, you would also have responsibility over managing matters pertaining to his health care as well. In both instances, you would be required to act in his best interest.
You might also consider discussing with your father, if he is sufficiently competent enough to do so, the possibility of having a trust established into which the settlement money could be placed. If your father agrees, you could be designated as the trustee of the trust to manage the assets on behalf of your father. If your father wishes and there are any trust assets remaining after his death, those assets could be distributed to you or anyone else that your father designates. Ultimately, the choice as to where the assets go is and should be your father's choice so long as he is competent and not unduly influenced by anyone.