My mother in law was wealthy, and developed Alzheimer's. She was a narcissist and had abused me for decades. My husband coerced and begged me to take care of her in our house for over 3 years. I did, although I hated it.
He promised to share his inheritance with me (3 million dollars), if I did. This also entailed fixing up her horrible, junky rentals, with rats, mold, and filth. This went on for months, of working my butt off 12 hour days, to help him out. I got no reimbursement for these activities.
He now is saying that "his inheritance", is going in his name only. Too bad, so sad.
My cousin worked to put her husband thru College. She was a bookkeeper and kept track of tuition, books and other things needed for College. When he was done College he divorced her. She took the records she had kept and the Judge ruled her soon to be Ex had to pay her every cent she put out for his College Education.
Have you ever seen any of the estate documents, such as your MIL's will? Is he correct in claiming that he's the sole heir?
I'm really guessing on this, and you'd have to discuss it with an attorney, but I'm wondering if you have a cause of action based on breach of an oral contract of services for "promised" remuneration, given that he's now refusing to share (or pay, if this is considered a contractual obligation). A "family" attorney (I think that's what divorce attorneys are called now) could offer insights.
I did a quick check for the binding validity of oral contracts in Colorado:
https://www.coloradocontract.com/are-oral-contracts-enforceable/
" If one party partially complied and/or performed with the terms of the oral agreement or if the plaintiff relied on the defendant’s promise and suffered a major problem as the result, the court may still enforce the oral contract."
You might want to study that and try to evaluate whether your husband's promise constitutes an oral contract, and if you've suffered a "major problem" as a result of this breach of an oral commitment. This would definitely have to be confirmed by an attorney. Then consider exploring suit for breach of an oral contract (denial of promised remuneration, something to that effect).
Regardless, I think I'd be looking for a divorce ("matrimonial") attorney. I can't see any hope or value in sharing the rest of your life with such a manipulative jerk.
Oh, contraire about the 3 million dollar inheritance going in his name only. See, he is legally married to you which means with a good divorce attorney who can think outside the box, 1.5 million of that inheritance (HALF 1/2) could end up in your hand.
He is legally married to you, which means you have rights under the law to property and assets. I don't mean to sound harsh here, so please don't take what I'm going to say the wrong way.
Your husband is saying the 3 million will be in "his name only" is likely because he wants a divorce and is trying to find a way to make sure you can't get any of the money.
You would do well to consult a divorce attorney now and just talk. Tell them what's going on and what your husband is saying. You will likely find that the lawyer will tell you exactly what I am. SO get in front of it and don't let yourself be cheated out of what you've earned fair and square.
Inheritances are not community property. Only if they're co-mingled with community property does that happen. If kept in a separate account, it remains separate property.
Verbal agreements are legally binding when there is proof that you fulfilled your side of a verbal contract, ie taking care of his mother.
Get an attorney NOW and charge the maximum allowed by law for the services you provided.
Then divorce the sorry, manipulative piece of garbage and take everything the law allows in the divorce.
He will be broke within 5 years and don't you dare feel any compassion and help him. He will get his just deserves.
See a lawyer asap. I would absolutely get my ducks in a row and take HALF (or more) of everything. You sure as heck don't want to be taking care of this selfish man in his old age after doing everything else you've done. You deserve a life. Go have one.
One word answer: divorce.
And not because of the money, because of the entire, bigger picture.(based on info in your posting). I’m sure you did not get any help from your turd of a husband with the hands on caring for his mother? Keep in mind that apples don’t tend to fall to far from the tree- and the fact that your husband allowed his mother to abuse and use you over the years; dorain, he clearly does not have your back nor respect for you, his wife. He threw you under the mom bus so HE could reap the payoff. You are way more valuable than to settle for the man who was molded and raised by an abusive, narcissistic mother. Think about it. Best of luck to you
Susan xoxoxo
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