Throughout my childhood, I resided with my grandmother in the house she purchased when I was just five years old. However, around seven years ago, a sudden emergency struck. Living alone at the time, my grandmother was urgently rushed to the hospital. The doctors informed her that she required surgery due to two severely clogged arteries in her neck area, one being 100% blocked and the other 99% blocked. It was a critical situation, and the operation was necessary.
In the midst of this, my mother and aunt accompanied my grandmother to a place where they could add their names to the deed of her house. During this process, the lady handling the paperwork asked my grandmother who she wanted to include on the deed. At that moment, my grandmother mentioned my name. This decision upset my aunt, resulting in the deed being left solely in the names of my mother and aunt. The reason my grandmother initially wanted my name on the deed was because I was the only one willing to move in and care for her after her surgery, especially as I was also expecting a baby at the time.
Fortunately, my grandmother's surgery went well, and she spent a few months living with my sister while I worked tirelessly to clean and prepare her home for her return. Once my baby was born, my grandmother moved back into her house. Physically, she seemed to recover quickly, but her memory became a concern.
One day, my mother brought up my grandmother's wishes, reminding her of the intention to put me on the deed of the house. However, my grandmother looked at my mother with confusion, stating that she had no recollection of such a conversation. She made it clear that she had no intention of leaving the house to my mother or aunt, but rather to me, Adriana, and my girls. It's important to note that her memory at that moment was much better than before she underwent surgery.
For a period of five years, I dedicated myself to caring for my grandmother, with three of those years requiring round-the-clock attention. The responsibility took a toll on me, and unfortunately, my aunt's actions only added to the strain. She provided only diapers for my grandmother and paid the bills, while managing all of my grandmother's finances.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the financial burden, I applied for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program multiple times. I also reached out to them on several occasions to inquire about my previous payment status. However, due to insurance complications, my participation in the program was terminated. They advised me to reapply once the insurance issue was resolved, which I did, but I never received any response.
l During this time, I found myself without any income and my personal life was put on hold. I couldn't rely on anyone else to assist with my grandmother's care, except for the occasional help from a friend who would come over to watch my grandmother or my daughters.
My aunt, on the other hand, would often tell me to find somewhere else to live and would complain about the fact that I didn't pay rent, despite never giving me a break from caregiving. Finding a job was also a challenge as my availability was limited due to my responsibilities at home.
Adult services came out numerous times to a check on my grandmother and me on one occasion the representative informed my grandmother that she was a victim of financial neglect and offered to investigate where her money was going however at the time my grandmother declined the offer.
A few years passed and I found myself in a difficult situation I couldn't continue in the same manner but also couldn't see a clear path forward. Now my grandmother has passed away and my aunt and my mom are on the deed of the house or his current which is currently getting recorded because when my grandmother was alive it was not recorded or notarized. They plan on selling the house soon leaving me homeless.
However, you will not get anywhere, imho.
You really have no standing for any kind of suit.
While she was able to, your grandmother put nothing to protect you in writing.
You failed also to get a care contract, but instead chose to give care free of charge and without a contract.
It is over.
It is too late.
I am sorry for the choices you made. At the time the exchange of loving care for a place to have a roof over your head may have seemed like enough. But now you are homeless, jobless and without a job history. You also have a very uncaring family apparently, who willingly took advantage of you as an unpaid caregiver.
I am sorry, but the time to protect yourself was when your grandmother was alive and competent. It is too late now.
You have nothing to lose by an hours free consultation (if you can find it) with an attorney. But this is sadly over.
I hope you will avail yourself of any county help, but in the past we have recommended people to seek a shelter. There at least you will have Social Workers to help you avail yourself of any programs available to you.
My heart goes out to you and I am so sorry for these circumstances.
The day of he said, she said is long gone, everything must be in writing and legally bound by an agreement, name addition to a checking or investment account, named in a will or whatever.
Sorry to say, however, you will have no recourse.
Go to a local women's shelter, they will help you find a job. talk to the social worker there, finding a low paying job today is really not that difficult, it will be a start for you, build from there.
Make a plan, follow through on it, break away from your family as they do not care about your wellbeing, time to stand on your own and walk away from these uncaring toxic people.
I wish you the very best.
If it was not done properly the first time, I would think it was still in grandmoms name. Was there a Will? If not, grands estate is intestate. Meaning that an Administrator can be appt by Probate but the State determines beneficiaries, which would be Mom and Aunt.
I am so sorry. I don't understand why grandmom would ever put your Mom and Aunt on the deed when she always felt she would leave the house to you.
"The responsibility took a toll on me, and unfortunately, my aunt's actions only added to the strain. She provided only diapers for my grandmother and paid the bills, while managing all of my grandmother's finances." I think your Aunt did her share. Unless she was skimming money. You say nothing about how ur own Mom contributed. Where was she why you did all the care?
You need a lawyer and I don't think you have the money. I so hope you have a job at this point. To go back and find any type of fraud on aunts and Moms part will be hard. They are GrandMoms children. Grands come second. By law when there are children, grands are not considered beneficiaries when there is no Will. It would be nice if you could at least get 1/3 of the proceeds of the house for being caregiver but looks like your room and board were considered payment. Maybe time to stand up on ur own two feet. Life is not fair.