Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Illinois

I am the only adopted adult child in a family where they had two natural daughters. I was 3 years old at the time of the adoption, but had been a foster child in this home since I was a few weeks old. The natural daughters are 7 and 17 years older than I am and have always treated me as an outcast. When my mother's health began to fail, my two sisters took control of my mother's finances transferring all funds to an account in their names only so they could eventually have her declared indigent. They became joint medical power of attorney and excluded me from any decisions or discussion of my mother's care. They assured my mother that they would divide her inheritance fairly and equally. My sisters made a decision to move my mother to the one sister's home an hour away. They never informed me of this decision and I learned of it only when I stopped by for a visit with my mother and she told me they were moving her that very day. I thought she was confused until they arrived and the one sister told me to leave. She kept her there for exactly 3 years, then moved her to a assisted living facility for 2-3 while she was on a waiting list for the county nursing home. It appeared that the assisted living was being paid for by my sisters, however it was my mother's funds, not their generosity. After my mother passed away they informed me there was no inheritance. Later that year, both my sisters and my brother-in-law retired with homes that are paid off. It was clear to me many years ago as they were squeezing me out of any decisions that they probably had a plan, but I was at a loss as to what I could do.

Do I have any legal recourse? Can I demand to see the financial statements or can they be subpoenaed by the courts? I am almost 55 years old, out of work for the past 2 years and struggling. I thank you for your comments.


Asked on 7/24/10, 11:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Burton Padove Indiana and Illinois Lawyer, Burton A. Padove

Your situation is a bit too complex for this forum. It does sound like there may have been some undue influence and you should contact an attorney locally.

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Answered on 7/25/10, 6:53 am


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