Oral agreements can legally be upheld (Of course a statute of limitations for “promissory estoppel” exists). So many people on my side, yet nobody was willing to inform me I wasn’t truly free. I was blind to my family dysfunction. I am free now but I have lost SO much.
"the case had been one of estoppel"
I take it you were promised something as an inheritance in exchange for caregiving.
It never works.
Best advice is to move on. Go back to work. Earn as much as you can. Go to www.bogleheads.org for good financial advice.