Family member suing for $30,000. Please advise.

[indygrl79]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

My uncle passed away this past December. His wife and him have been living in one of our family's homes (It is a farm corporation and all land and homes on the land belong to the corporation).

During the time they lived there, they did some renovations, including a new kitchen, bathroom, and porch. My uncle and his wife never paid any rent or utilities; the corporation paid for all of this. (My uncle worked on the farm).

Now that my uncle is gone, his wife moved out of the house and we received a notification from her attorney that she wants $30,000 in reimbursement for the upgrades that they did because they added value to the home. Our family never agreed to anything like this before they did the upgrades, nor was any agreement set in place, written or verbal. The corporation did, however give my uncle $20,000 toward these renovations---but in records it just shows at a $20,000 payment to my uncle; there is nothing to verify the reason behind the payment.

My family lives in a small town in Indiana, and I lots of doubt in the attorney addressing this for my family. He keeps talking about "what is fair". I want to know... legally... does she have a stance? How can anyone upgrade a home that they do not own, and expect to be reimbursed for it...without any prior agreement? Is this attorney just trying to draw it out for money and a portion of a potential settlement? Legally, is my uncle's wife entitled to anything out of this?

Anyone with knowledge in this area, please respond with advice. It would be greatly appreciated.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by indygrl79

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

My uncle passed away this past December. His wife and him have been living in one of our family's homes (It is a farm corporation and all land and homes on the land belong to the corporation).

During the time they lived there, they did some renovations, including a new kitchen, bathroom, and porch. My uncle and his wife never paid any rent or utilities; the corporation paid for all of this. (My uncle worked on the farm).

Now that my uncle is gone, his wife moved out of the house and we received a notification from her attorney that she wants $30,000 in reimbursement for the upgrades that they did because they added value to the home. Our family never agreed to anything like this before they did the upgrades, nor was any agreement set in place, written or verbal. The corporation did, however give my uncle $20,000 toward these renovations---but in records it just shows at a $20,000 payment to my uncle; there is nothing to verify the reason behind the payment.

My family lives in a small town in Indiana, and I lots of doubt in the attorney addressing this for my family. He keeps talking about "what is fair". I want to know... legally... does she have a stance? How can anyone upgrade a home that they do not own, and expect to be reimbursed for it...without any prior agreement? Is this attorney just trying to draw it out for money and a portion of a potential settlement? Legally, is my uncle's wife entitled to anything out of this?

Anyone with knowledge in this area, please respond with advice. It would be greatly appreciated.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

**A: my take is that this matter should be negotiated and both sides have some merit and not one side is entirely correct.