mean father in CANADA

[yvonne D]

My adopted mother who adopted me since 5yrs old has passed away 6 mos. ago without a will. I am currently in full-time university. She supported me in school financially prior to her death. My adopted father who I & my 16 yr old brother never got along with has taken all her money, including jewelleries which belonged to me (she written that all jewelleries belong to me on a tiny piece of paper. After her death, my adopted father and I never talked. He gave me no money either. And if we do talk, its always and argument. He plans to sell the house we're living in during 2001. He plans to move really far away. We need to live closer to school for our convenience. My little brother and I will have to move to an apartment closer to our school. But I don't have the money. What i want to know is that if he does sell the house am I entitle to some of the money due to my situation? Can i sue him if he doesn't give me any money When he sells the house. Can mediator help me as well? what are my options?

 

[ALawyer]

I do not know Canadian law, but in most common law countries assets of the deceased are split between the surving spouse and the children, and adopted children are fully children for that purpose.

If she owned the house in her own name (and not as joint property with him) then you'd likely be entitled to inherit at least a share.

In the uS an adoptive father has a duty to support his children, including adoptive children. But he can determine where to live, and need not follow the wishes of the kids.

This is one that I suggest you get some help from a relative, clergyman, school official or other person on. And you'd probably need a lawyer somewhere in the process.