Legal assistance in disputes involving monetary claims

Questioner

The relationship of my elderly, demented neighbour is over. Now her in-laws want to see money and are threatening to take her to court. They are demanding more than 20,000 euros for the last 5 years in which he spent more on the household than she did. That is correct in itself, she spent less than before due to her dementia. There was no cohabitation agreement and there were no other agreements about the contributions to the household. His income was much higher than that of my neighbour. In itself I assume that there is no legal basis to demand that money, but what about the costs of a lawyer and the possible court case? I hope that I can reassure her by answering this question.

Lawyer

I read your message with amazement. Spending money in the household is a right of its own and has no bearing on any heirs. If desired, I would like to provide you with further information.

Questioner

It is not about heirs, but about the ex-partner and his children.

Lawyer

The ex-partner is only entitled to the estate if the man has not remarried. However, spending money in the household is a right of its own.