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Prairie State Legal Services - "Making a Positive Difference" |
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| Sam's and Verline's Story Senior / Housing Law |
| Now in their eighties, Sam and Verline, like many elderly, suffered from chronic health problems. Ten years ago, they relocated to Illinois to be closer to their son and daughter-in-law. When they moved to Illinois, Sam and Verline sold their home in another state and gave the proceeds to their son and daughter-in-law to purchase a duplex for them all to live in. It was a good arrangement until their son and daughter-in-law were divorced and she was awarded the duplex. At first, she demanded rent from the elderly couple. Eventually, she sought to evict them. At this time, Sam and Verline sought help from Prairie State Legal Services. |
| As Prairie State staff worked with the clients, it was discovered that when the duplex was purchased a decade earlier, the son and daughter-in-law had not put either Sam's or Verline’s name on the title documents even though they had paid for the property. Prairie State filed various affirmative defenses to the eviction and counterclaims. The holder of the mortgage of the property was brought in as a necessary party to the case. After pretrial proceedings and much negotiation, the case was settled with the duplex being sold and the proceeds divided between the parties. Our clients were able to purchase another home in the same community. |