What is the name of your state? Oregon
My father was his brother's (my uncle's) caretaker. My uncle had been in a nursing home for years until he died recently. My father had taken my uncle to his medical appointments, etc., and was in charge of what little my uncle possessed. My father "saved" what ever money was left from my uncle's social security check every month (approx. $75) and also held in his possession some silver my uncle owned: a 100 oz bar of silver as well as many silver coins (all of which most likely amount to less than $5,000). My father has told my brother and me about the silver, and just a few days ago, my father showed my sister all of the silver.
My uncle had one daughter who is now 40 years old (her mother died many years ago). As this cousin of mine is developmentally disabled, my sister and I "watch over her" so to speak. She has a steady job (bagging groceries) but is unable to appropriately deal with her finances. Her paychecks are sent to me and I pay her bills each month as well as send her a check every week for necessities.
Now that my cousin's father has died, what few possessions he had belong to my cousin. My uncle had no debt, and his cremation costs were paid in advance, so there are no other debts to be paid. Unfortunately, my father has done exactly what I thought he would do. He does not want to give up the silver and will not cash it out and send it to me so that it can be used for my cousin (he believes the world is coming to an end and wants to use the silver to pay for "food storage" for my cousin since he feels it will be his "duty" to take her in when the zombie apocalypse occurs).
Is there any way to force my father to give up the money to the rightful heir without having to use an attorney or go through probate? Would it be possible to do it in small claims court? It's such a small sum, I'm assuming it wouldn't be worth the trouble to send it through probate or to hire a lawyer to sue for it, but my cousin could really use the money. My uncle did have a will (I have a copy), which states that his daughter, my cousin, will inherit his estate. My father also has a power of attorney to deal with my now deceased uncle's business.
I can't believe this dirtbag is my father.
Thanks for any suggestions.
My father was his brother's (my uncle's) caretaker. My uncle had been in a nursing home for years until he died recently. My father had taken my uncle to his medical appointments, etc., and was in charge of what little my uncle possessed. My father "saved" what ever money was left from my uncle's social security check every month (approx. $75) and also held in his possession some silver my uncle owned: a 100 oz bar of silver as well as many silver coins (all of which most likely amount to less than $5,000). My father has told my brother and me about the silver, and just a few days ago, my father showed my sister all of the silver.
My uncle had one daughter who is now 40 years old (her mother died many years ago). As this cousin of mine is developmentally disabled, my sister and I "watch over her" so to speak. She has a steady job (bagging groceries) but is unable to appropriately deal with her finances. Her paychecks are sent to me and I pay her bills each month as well as send her a check every week for necessities.
Now that my cousin's father has died, what few possessions he had belong to my cousin. My uncle had no debt, and his cremation costs were paid in advance, so there are no other debts to be paid. Unfortunately, my father has done exactly what I thought he would do. He does not want to give up the silver and will not cash it out and send it to me so that it can be used for my cousin (he believes the world is coming to an end and wants to use the silver to pay for "food storage" for my cousin since he feels it will be his "duty" to take her in when the zombie apocalypse occurs).
Is there any way to force my father to give up the money to the rightful heir without having to use an attorney or go through probate? Would it be possible to do it in small claims court? It's such a small sum, I'm assuming it wouldn't be worth the trouble to send it through probate or to hire a lawyer to sue for it, but my cousin could really use the money. My uncle did have a will (I have a copy), which states that his daughter, my cousin, will inherit his estate. My father also has a power of attorney to deal with my now deceased uncle's business.
I can't believe this dirtbag is my father.
Thanks for any suggestions.