Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Missouri

I am a 53 yr. old Disabled Woman, My Nephew & his wife asked me to move up to their house in Independence & that way they could help me & take me places that I can't go because I don't drive only around town. I did this. I have a Van that I had bought not long before that, I traded in car in that was totally paid off & bought the Van & paid the difference. As time went on they decided that they needed a New Vehicle but couldn't get one cause they didn't have a down payment so they wanted to use my van as a trade in, & because I was up there, they said they took me every where so I wouldn't need one, they had 2 vehicles. Jan (Wife) said that they would buy me one when they got their Taxes back that year, which was last year.

When I signed the papers at the Dealers, they were only giving $2500. for the trade in & I thought that was insane but knew you never get anything when you trad it in at Dealer. I had just bought that Van for $7200.00

As time went on, I started not getting along, with Jan so she stopped taking me places & when I asked for them to buy me a car she lost it & told me she would buy me a $1K car & I could get out.

I was told I didn't have to pay rent there, but I paid $750. to finish the fence in their back yard, & gave My Nephew $600. cash to fix some windows in the house, I also maxed out alot of credit cards by buying food out & spent alot of money but food at Costco for the whole Family quite a few times, I only lived their 7 months. When I moved out, He gave me $750. cash cause I didn't have the money to move & I was kicked out. I told both of them when I moved in that I was on Rental Assistance & if I moved up there I would have to give it up so If we ever got into it they couldn't just kick me out cause I couldn't afford to get a place without the assistance.

I have asked for another vehicle by Texting him quite a few times with no response back to me, so a week or so ago I emailed him & asked for the money for the vehicle. He finally called his Mom, which is My Sister & said He was mad cause I threatened him, which I didn't, at least it's not what I ment even if it sounded like that. He is now saying that they only got $1K for the Van, which it was $2500. when I did it, I would of never let it go for $1K, I didn't really want to let it go for the $2500. My Sister & her whole family are on his side & she told me that if I Sued him She was done with me & Well, I need her cause I'm Disabled & don't get out much & I need help with going to store etc.... PLUS I don't have a car. so it is that whole family against me.

All I want is a Car OR the money He owes me to replace the one that I was nice enough to let them use to get what they wanted.

So what I need to know is, is there something I can do Legally without taking him to court & Cheap, I have alot of bills I'm still paying off from living up there & I have been back here 15 mths., & I am only on Social Security Disability.

If You can help me Please email me & let me know & give me a price. I need it in Email cause if someone is around when my phone rings that would not be good if they know I have contacted an Attorney, yet.

Thank you so much.

Vicki Jones

[email protected]


Asked on 9/21/09, 3:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Ms. Jones,

You are wise to seek legal counsel. often differences are resolved without suit being filed. However, the shear seeking of aresolution can cause turmoil and stres in a family. It sounds like your nephew is refusing to see facts the way you described them. To get his attention might require spelling out the turmoil is worngfully refusing to admit facts would cause him. Lawyers are not allowed to make idle threats. Obviously you prefer to not have to sue your nephew. But you will have to keep that option available, or risk limitin ghte power the attonrey woudl have to negotiate in your behalf. I might do such acase for $100 per hour or straight contingnecy or amix of both. It would take at least two hours work to resolve this matter, and might take as much as ten.

Good luck

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Answered on 9/23/09, 5:26 pm


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