What in the world is going on? Two uncles in one day. [View all]

[LiberalEsto]

Yesterday morning I found out that my uncle -- my only blood relative in the U.S. besides my brother and daughters, passed away a month ago in NJ.

Not only that, but we found out that his part-time housekeeper has filed a will stating that he left everything to her. However his executor, whom we tracked down by calling nursing homes and hospices, thinks this will is suspicious and has filed a caveat in court to prevent action on it. My brother and I were his beneficiaries in the will the executor has in his possession. My uncle was half-paralyzed with a stroke for the past 3 years, unable to walk and barely able to speak. I can't believe the housekeeper's will is legitimate, since my uncle would have wanted the will to be sent to his friend and executor.

It looks like my brother and I need to find a lawyer, not that we can afford one. If we each got 1/3rd of the value of his house according to the will, my brother, who is HIV-positive, diabetic and living in a slum, might be able to get a decent place to live out the last few years of his life. I could pay off my kids' student loans and put away something for retirement. We have zero savings and I've been out of work for 4 years. But I have a bad feeling that we are screwed.

Then last night, my husband's brother called to say that one of their uncles died yesterday in NJ. We knew he had terminal cancer and was in a hospice but neither of us really knew him. I'd met him twice over 31 years. I'm sad for my father-in-law, who is himself in poor health.

Something else really sad happened yesterday, but it's deeply personal.

I feel totally gutted.