QUESTION
Is my mother entitled to any of my settlement money?
Asked on Oct 08th, 2016 on Family Law - New Jersey
More details to this question:
My father commit suicide in a jail when I was 12. After his funeral my mother got a lawyer and decided to sue the jail. She was never married to my father so she was told she wouldn't be entitled to much, only his children would receive from the settlement. Now I'm finally 18, the cas settled earlier this year, but we still don't know the amount we're getting. Me and mother don't get along, and she's always threatening that she can have her lawyer withhold my money until I'm 21, can she do that? She also threatens that I won't get a dime out of it. Is there anything I can do about that? If so, what? I'm afraid she might trick me into signing something that would give her power over my money. Should I get a lawyer?
1 ANSWER
2 Awards
You need to speak to the lawyer that is handling the case. There has to be someone appointed to be your late father's representative, both for the case against the jail, and for the admininstration of his estate. You are entitled to the distribution from his estate. There has to be someone to make sure the money from the law suit goes into the estate.
Answered on Oct 09th, 2016 at 2:39 PM
Diana L. Anderson, Certified Elder Law Attorney This response is not legal advice and does not establish any form of attorney/client relationship