Should I give Mother in Law possessions of ex-husband?

Question

My Father in Law Passed March 2006. Since I own his house next door to mine I haven't had to go in and remove his things we have just left them their my husband obviously is having a hard time with the death of his father so he left me in charge of everything. Here's my question My Mother in Law wants all his stuff even though she divorced him 10 years before he passed. 80 % of the stuff he has he bought after she walked out on him. What do you think I should do?

Thanks to Everyone for their answers. There is no will my husband is an only child. his father figured since we owned the house and his vehicles and bank account were in his son's name there is nothing for anyone else to get except maybe the stuff inside the house if anyone would want it. I have let my mother in law go in the house she has already taken the microwave, lamps, sheets, towels, some of his pants, etc. but now she wants the refrigerator for the home she is renting since hers leaks. but she is going to leave it there if she moves out. which I am not happy about. she wants the roll around dishwasher, the list goes on. yet she doesnt want any of the picture of them together??? Do you think she still loves him??? Gee's I could write a book about my life with this family..

Answer 1

Absolutely NOT! SOunds like the gold digger is trying to even get him in death. If you do this you will seriously hurt or kill your relationship with your husband. Talk to him about it and suggest that both of you go through things together, support him, be there for him. A death of a father is something that haunts a son for years, even decades. Do this together with your husband, if he says you handle it, tell him that you are and you are handling it by doing this together. But under no circumstances should you give anything to the ex-wife. She is the X for a reason.

Answer 2

I would tell her to wait until your husband can "deal" with the distribution of the property. However I personally feel she should NOT receive anything your father in law acquired after they were divorced, if there are a few things that might have "special" memories for her of while they were together, I would consider letting her have those items, however since they were divorced there probably isn't anything she really "wants"--she is just out to cause trouble. When your husband is ready to "deal" with the house and possesions, he will do with them what he thinks is best, but support him with all of it. Just tell your Mom in law, that when your husband is ready to take charge and go through the house he will and if they come across anything for her you will notify her. I am sorry for your loss. (really your mom in law should get NOTHING)

Answer 3

I do not think the mother in law should get squat, none of dead mans things tell her to blow. It has been almost a year now, so time for husband to come to grips of daddy's death, There is no big hurry so take your time but go ahead and start to go through stuff and make a list of what to keep and what to sell and what to give away. Spring will be her soon so time for a yard sale.

Answer 4

Keep the stuff stored till the estate is settled, you wouldn't want someone to get upset if you gave the wrong thing away. Or if you need to sell or rent the house, put it into storage till everything is smoothed over. I don't think she should get anything, but you never know what is in a will until it is read, better safe than sorry!

Answer 5

1. I'm very sorry for your loss.
2. Mrs. X allow her to be the X
greedy and self centered.
3. Find a lawyer before she does and find out what the law says.
4. Use it to your advantage.
5. Find out what your hubby wants to do. He might want his mother to have something.
6. We both know life is not fair, but you don't get to emotional involved if hubby wants to give into MRS. X aka mother

Answer 6

Are there any other children involved? Grandchildren or siblings? How does your husband feel about this? Try to find out if she wants the items because of sentimental value (she probally still loves him, they did have a child together) or if she plans to sell it all. If you decide to not let her have it all, maybe you could at least let her walk through and pick some things that she might find comfort in. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Just because people divorce it doesn't mean that they didn't still love and care for each other. If you need to clear out the house before your husband heals then try packing it away and let him decide later...as for the mother in law she may just want something to remember him by....let her pick out something special with sentimental value not monitary value, but I would not let her have everything, not even close.

Answer 8

It ALL goes to the son. PERIOD. She gave up any right to his possessions with the divorce decree. If your husband chooses he can work this out with her, but until then its not to her.

In the big picture, It is up to your husband to sort this out. They were his parents. Lacking any specific instructions in the will it is up to your son to sort out.

Frankly, it takes some huge Kahunas to even make such a request. Your MIL must be treat.

Answer 9

This is not your problem to handle, the question is what does your husband think,,,, out of sight is not out of mind he needs to make a decision on what he feels should be done with his fathers things. Bad situation for you to be in. Good luck

Answer 10

I dont think she should get any of it. Why now? Why this stuff?? Something is up here. If you dont know what to do with it, I can give you some ideas. When my mom passed away we gave her clothing away to good will keeping some for ourselves. Her other possessions went to habitat for humanity. Good luck to you.