Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia

I am from Florida and my biological father lives in georgia. He was recently in ICU and on life support. The call to family was issued for last visit. I drove up there to be with my sister and brother, we have different mothers, but the same bio. father. When I arrived at the hospital, my fathers 3rd wife stated to head nurse that I was not allowed to see him. I went to the waiting room peacefully. I went back out to the nurse desk to ask for a piece of paper to write her a note, and she had security called on me stating that I had issued verbal threats. We were then escorted off premisis by the police, and I never got a chance to see my father before he died. They have since then issued very nasty insults of all kinds. They have also said we are banned from the funeral and the wake, and if we do show up for the viewing the casket will be closed.

Do we have a case for emotional distress? Is there any legal action or right we have as his biological children? He did not have children with this wife, but yet they all claim exclusive rights as such.

Please help with anything, his funeral is this week and I want to go back to Macon, Ga armed with at least some viable recourse. The police witnessed everything and I have contact information if we require a valid witness to the validity of the issue.


Asked on 4/30/12, 8:07 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

I am sorry for the loss of your father, but we can't possibly know all the facts and circumstances relevant to a current legal problem. Obviously, there is more to the story and we only know one side - yours. Nurse's don't call security for no reason, and whether it was right or wrong, we don't know the other side. In short, the internet is not a place to resolve your family issues at this time, and certainly not to "arm you" with ammunition (from people who likely only know a fraction of the whole story) to get in a battle before or during a funeral.

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Answered on 4/30/12, 8:27 am


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