Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

Can 21-year-old sue father? Complex Situation

I think the best way to present the facts is in bullet form.

1.Father has not worked since 1993, when he broke his arm.

2.Mother passed away in 1999. All her assets went to the Father.

3.Father collected SS benefits for himself and two children after mother's death. All the money went into his personal bank account, since children were underage.

4.Father collected damages from his 1993 workplace accident sometime after year 2000. All money went into his personal account.

5.Father bought himself, for cash, a house and automobiles. He has been living off the SS benefits and interest income.

6.Daughter is now 18, and Son is 21. Father insists he owes them absolutely nothing since they are adults.

Father has indeed provided food and shelter to his children until the age of 18, but certainly not to the level of money he was paid. He will not provide money for any other things, such as clothing, a car, or college expenses. He refuses to even buy food for the household. Both children are full-time students, and not currently working.

I am the son. I wish to recover a portion of my mother's money, the SS benefits that were entitled to me, and anything that can help me live on my own.

Thank you very kindly for your help.


Asked on 12/22/08, 9:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

Re: Can 21-year-old sue father? Complex Situation

You did not mention how your mother's assets went to your father. Was it by way of a will? Was a probate estate opened and the assets passed by will or by law? Or, were the assets in joint names and so they passed automatically to your mother? Alot of time has passed since her death, so it's not clear if you still may have a probate claim.

I do not believe you have a claim to any of the monies just because you are his child. Even if you were a minor I do not believe you would have a claim. It's different if your parents are/were divorced and he was supposed to pay child support. This is not the case.

You should call social security and see if you are entitled to any of the benefits as an adult. I do not believe so, but you should check anyway.

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Answered on 12/22/08, 10:08 pm


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