Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Connecticut

This question is in regards to a verbal agreement being broken.

About 4 years ago, my Mother called me and told me that her and my father we're having financial problems, because a brother of mine stole money, and she wasn't sure how to pay her bills. She had a proposition:

-My children and I would move in with them, I'd pay the majority of the bills and mortgage, and in return, the house would be mine in 3 years.-

I was hesitant about this, because my Mom was still close to the brother that stole from here, and he and I can't stand to be in the same room as eachother. However, I agreed, because my Mother was crying, and it's in my nature to step up and help.

My only stipulation was that my brother would not be allowed to come to the house. My Mother would have to visit him. She agreed.

Here we are now, 4 years later. He's visited on several occasions, with only a mere reminder of our agreement from me.

Now, she comes to me and tells me that my brother is having financial issues, and needs a place to stay. Our home!!! I tell her that I cannot live like that, and I again remind her of all of our agreements, including the one about the house being mine if I agreed to help her.

She replies with, "You should have asked for a signed contract, and if you don't like the idea of your brother moving in, then you can find somewhere else to live".

I am devastated.

I have absolutely no money saved up to find another place of residence, as I put nearly every penny into this home. Each week when I received my paycheck, I would take just enough money out for food and gas, which was about 25% of my check, and the rest would go to her, in cash, for utility and mortgage payments.

When I moved from the duplex that I was renting, I did not pay my landlord anything for the last 3 months, as my mother was desperate for the money then. I've since repaid my former landlord via wage execution.

I have 4 children, and no place to go. Living with this brother is simply NOT an option. He has always been very abusive, both mentally and physically, that I could never allow my children to live in those conditions.

I only made this move, and the sacrifices of not having any extra spending money, because I believed that she was sincere in saying that the house would be mine.

My parents have had the opportunity to save over the past few years, as I was taking on most of the load of the houshold and utility payments.

I love my parents dearly, and suing them would be the last thing I'd want to do. But I feel betrayed and used by them. I feel like I was lied to, simply so they could get themselves out of debt, and then some.

Where do I go from here? My family had our own lives, and our own roof over our heads. Now I fear that we may be searching for a stretch of woods to pitch a tent in, because that's about all we can afford.

Thanks for your time,

Daryl


Asked on 9/24/09, 6:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

So what's your legal question?

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Answered on 9/29/09, 10:32 pm


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