Fear is a terrible thing, and unfortunately the Catholicism she learned would have been pretty thick with it.
Thoughts of eternal damnation would be frightening for many, thoughts of eternal physical torture, beyond the experience or comprehension of  anyone, even more so, but that is what the catholic church teaches, and what so many of these frightened old people have been imprinted to accept as the fate of any who die outside of god's grace, since their earliest childhood.
I think in this particular case it would be worth finding out exactly when, and under what circumstances she actually made her will, and whom she had contact with in the time before that.

I grew up catholic, and so this sort of thing is not news to me, they have been at it for centuries, and have refined their techniques very well, so I can imagine their lawyers will have this well in hand, and the most likely scenario is they will offer a settlement to the family, of perhaps a quarter of the estate, so they can claim to be honouring the woman's wishes, and respecting the families rights, and still pocketing most of the money.

There are very few times I can even think about the Catholic church without feeling contempt for it.

This case is easier said than done to argue on -  both ways !

What happens if the woman is not in her right frame of mind to be making the decissions of a Will?  And  this is sometimes  hard to prove.

I have witness the most deserving family members   Not get the inheritance money , or family heirlooms ,  because the parent was making changes to their will in the age of 80+.
They can get stubborn, and bitter, over one little thing and conveniently, or unconsciously wipe-out a life time of help from that same person.

How old was the will that left the house to the church?

I seen a case recently where an elderly woman died and had three sons.  Two moved away about 40 years ago while one stayed within a couple of kms.  In her last 20 years he mowed her lawns, put an extention on, any repairs were done, painted, cared for her when ill, did her shopping.  His wife, children and grandchildren all visited regularily and helped out enormously.

When she died earlier in the year, the son that did everything got a kick in the guts, she left the house, cash, everything, to the youngest son, one who moved away forty years ago, while he and his other brother got zero.

The only good thing was the youngest son agreed to split it all three ways.

So tln, do you admit that your gripe is purely based on bias against the church and not something they actually did wrong this time?

Quote:


In that case you can mount a legal challenge.

mozzaok wrote on Jan 11^th, 2011 at 5:05pm:


The church not only sells fake gold passes to heaven but also sells fake get of hell cards But no money back guarantees of course

freediver wrote on Jan 10^th, 2011 at 9:42pm:


Very good advice. if i had anything worth fighting over i'd be doing the same thing. But you can hardly blame the church. It sounds like they are just as surpised as the kids.it would be good if a compromise is cheaply agreed to that also honours the wishes of the deceased.

Longy, I will plus one you on the fact that what Jesus is reputed to have said is very different to what many churches teach.
Mahatma Ghandi once said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
I would go along with Ghandi on that also.

Some people have even conjectured that Christ may actually have travelled to India in his "lost" years, and based many of his teachings on the Buddhism he may have learned there.
It is pure speculation of course, but no more unlikely than many of the other stories that religious folk unreservedly accept.

Firstly.
I'm surprised there is a form of Catholicism that embraces and existence of 'poverty'. Catholic Clergy embrace abstinence and wealth, with the Mass being poor and of much breeding.  Buddhism is much the same way with the Monastries being 'golden Shangri-las'.
I thought that was the essence of Protestantism: the Clergy are poor (but very big families) and the Mass are rich but practice Celibacy.
Oh well, maybe these Friars have been waiting for a culturally-backwards Australia to find justification for cause.
I remember when a Protestant Clergy offered me to help him collect a 'bundle of sticks' for the bbq's. I said "I rather stay with the flock".

Secondly,
Having worked Aged Care - the amount of people who would only 'visit' the Residents that have been 'dumped' into the Nursing Homes, when "near death" was almost 90%. Only a few Nursing Homes had a sense of character that presented much visitation by family members constantly. I was lucky to work at one: Weroona - just neat the former Balmain Tigers football ground at Leichhardt.
Mostly family members would only appear in regards to 'settling the paperwork' once they were alerted by the Nursing Home that the Resident only has a few weeks to live. One Italian lady would put on a good show occassionally and fake a death "I'm dying...I'm dying. Momma mia ...I'm dying!" within hours 20+ family members dressed in black would be around her ...and only then, never any other time.

Thirdly,
Many an old man have I mowed lawns for and kept good company for during my years of roaming around Sydney and Melbourne - their biggest fear is the Real Estate Agents who know that if they can prove that the Elderly owner of the house is not capable of 'up-keeping' the house in a respectable manner. They can force a sell, especially if they can get in contact with a relative to reinforce this action ...for a percentage%
Throw in many people going for vulnerable 'elderly' in many ways - from Companies and Businesses ripping them off to junkies, thieves and scammers doing the same ...even bashing them.

fourthly,
I think the lady in question endured a simple life with her only recreation being the odd visit to the church in question. Its all she probably knew? Many people do give their wealth 'away' to others not of the blood, as they believe that "for the betterment of their children - they must make their own fortune in life" ...and in many cases, this is a sound philosophy. Look at all the spoiled and soiled Celebrity kids unable to sail their own boats or blame their parents through various denials of rejection.

Epilogue.
I think she was of 'sound mind' ...she just didn't know any better though.
None the less - a Will is a Final Testament and must be respected ...no matter if it was a mistake "in the end".

I think the kiddies need to HTFU and make their own fortunes like she did through years of hardship and work.

>>>I only want my father's Elvis Presley record collection. I hate Elvis - but its the only thing I will remember him best by. Although I live in a Garage ...the House (everything so to speak) will go to the "baby" of the family or the "last born" as they are usually the one with the most kids to support and have always been the last in line for the parental 'love'.

...I'm a 'middle-child' - I seek my fortune from the 'world', not mummy or daddy in regards to relationships and money, like the 1st and last born do.