Q: Seeking legal help for inheritance theft in Gratiot County, MI
My mother, who lived in Gratiot County, MI, was on hospice care, and volunteer caregivers allegedly stole at least $25,000 from her bank accounts. Many of her valuables were removed from her home and discarded at a senior center. The bank informed me of the suspicious activity, leading me to file a police report. However, the case sat with the prosecuting attorney for some time and was eventually dropped with advice to hire a lawyer. I am struggling to find legal representation for inheritance theft at a reasonable cost. What options do I have, and are there lawyers in the Gratiot County area who can assist with this issue?
A: A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry this happened to your mother. You've probably been searching on your own since posting your question. You could supplement your efforts with the "Find a Lawyer" tab above. After selecting a practice area, you'll see a tab for "Browse By." You'll have a choice of cities and counties. Under "Counties," look for Gratiot. You could also check with attorney referral sections of local and state bar associations. Good luck
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A:
In your situation, you have options for pursuing legal action, even though the criminal case was dropped. Since you’ve already reported the theft to the police and gathered evidence of the stolen funds and valuables, you can explore filing a civil lawsuit for the theft or misappropriation of assets. A civil case would allow you to seek compensation for the stolen money and any damages caused by the theft.
Finding affordable legal representation can be challenging, but there are resources available. You could start by contacting your local bar association, which may offer a lawyer referral service or pro bono (free) legal assistance in cases like yours. Some lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win the case, which could make pursuing legal action more accessible.
Additionally, you could look into legal aid organizations in Michigan that assist with cases involving inheritance theft or financial exploitation. They may be able to connect you with an attorney who can represent you at a lower cost or help you navigate the process. Make sure to gather all evidence and documentation of the theft, as this will help your lawyer build a strong case.
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