I didn’t get the ‘dead lef’ my aunt promised

Dear Pastor,

I am having a problem and I don't know if you can help, but I am trying my luck. I am 30 years old. One of my aunts was ill. She did not have children and she asked me if I could come and assist her, and I agreed. She became worse and was hospitalised. I took care of the house and went to the hospital every day.

After I was at the house for about three months, I noticed that her husband was trying to fool around me. I told him that I wasn't interested and I have a boyfriend. He said my boyfriend didn't have to know what we did.

Anyway, my aunt always says that whenever she dies, her half of the house should go to me. When she died, we all attended the funeral and I went back to the country. About a year or so ago, I found out that her husband sold the house and did not give me anything. Nobody on our side got anything. So, I am wondering what we can do. I know that if I had played around with him, he would have treated me better, but I couldn't do it.

Please give me your advice. I am getting married in September and I would be glad to get that help.

T.A.

Dear T.A.,

I am sorry to hear that your aunt has passed on. I am sure you are glad that you had the opportunity to assist her during her illness. You are indeed a very good girl. You stood up against her husband when he tried to become intimate with you.

Your aunt told you that her share of the house should go to you. But I do not know whether she made a will and whether the house was bought as tenants in common or joint tenants. If they were joint tenants, the house goes to the surviving party. Tenants in common means that each person could will his portion of the value of the house to whomsoever he/she wants to have it.

Too often, people just say by word of mouth what they want to be done after their death. But unless it was put in a will, no one has to really honour what the deceased said.

I suggest that you go to see a lawyer for advice. But I don't want to give you the impression that you are going to get anything from the proceeds of that house.

Pastor