Legal Question in Family Law in California

Second wive's claim to airline settlement money
Hi. A couple of years ago my father passed away on a plane crash and my family and I sued the airline that was involved. The case was settled last year and the money from the lawsuit was distributed between me and my siblings since my parents were divorced during the time of the accident. After everything was settled, my family found out that my dad was legally married to someone else. We also discovered that the marriage was a contracted marriage--a transaction where money was given to my dad in exchange for the other party obtaining US citizenship. Although the money was given to my dad, the lady involved in the marriage never obtained US citizenship. Instead, she moved to Korea. My family and I know without a doubt that she never lived with my dad--the marriage was purely a business deal. However, after the airline settlement, she and her family have been bugging my family about getting some of the settlement money. Does she have legal claim to our money? If so, would it be better for my family and me to settle with her or to take the matter to court?

Asked on 1/29/02, 12:16 pm

Ken Koury Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

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Re: Second wive's claim to airline settlement money

she has no claim. the money was paid to you for your loss. she can try to make her own claim from the airline but you dont have to pay her anything.

Answered on 1/29/02, 3:09 pm

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