Man Puts Grandmother in Nursing Home, Learns She Inherited $2.1M Mansion — Story of the Day
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A man deceives his grandmother into a nursing home to sell her house, only to face an unexpected and bitter twist.
Valerie Dumont, at 87, never imagined she would have to bury her only son. When Larry passed away at 65, Valerie was heartbroken. With Larry gone, her only remaining family was her grandson, Steve.
Six months after Larry’s death, Steve suggested that Valerie sell her house and move to Memphis to be closer to him and his children. Valerie, trusting her grandson, agreed to the plan. Steve promised she would live in his guest house, but things took a different turn.
Steve listed Valerie’s house for sale and convinced her to sign over power of attorney, allowing him to handle the sale and deposit the proceeds into her bank account. However, Steve transferred the money to his own account instead.
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When Valerie arrived in Memphis, she didn’t find herself at Steve’s home or the charming guest house he had described.
nstead of driving Valerie to his home, Steve took her to a retirement home where he had arranged her stay using the power of attorney she had granted him. Valerie was stunned as she watched Steve walk away, get into his car, and disappear down the driveway.
For the next three weeks, Valerie cried. She soon realized there was no money in her account and that she had been deceived by the only family she had left. “Oh Larry,” Valerie whispered to her deceased son, “this would have broken your heart!”
The other residents at the home were too absorbed in their own memories and sorrows to pay much attention to Valerie, leaving her miserable and lonely.
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When she called her best friend Betty in Denver, Valerie was told by her caregiver that Betty was very ill and had been taken to the hospital. This saddened Valerie deeply, as she and Betty had grown up together.
Valerie’s only ray of sunshine was Martin, a hairdresser’s apprentice whose grandmother also lived in the home. He would visit on Saturday mornings to style the residents’ hair and was particularly fond of Valerie.
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“Miss Valerie,” he would say, “you’re just so pretty! If you were 50 years younger, I’d marry you!” Valerie would laugh and share stories from her youth, including all the crazy things she and Betty had done.
One day, Steve received a call from a lawyer asking for his grandmother’s address. “I’m calling on behalf of a German firm handling the estate of a Mr. Groenfeld.”
“Groenfeld…” Steve pondered. “Oh! That’s my grandmother’s maiden name! So, what did she inherit? Family photos?”
“I believe your grandmother inherited real estate in Bavaria valued at approximately $2 million,” the lawyer said, and Steve nearly dropped his phone.
“I have the power of attorney to handle my grandmother’s financial issues,” Steve said quickly. “So maybe…”
“Sorry,” the lawyer interrupted. “The property is only hers after she takes possession of it. The power of attorney is valid only then, so please provide her address.”
Steve reluctantly gave the lawyer the address of the old age home and Valerie’s phone number. The following weekend, he visited Valerie.
“Hello, Gran!” he said cheerfully. “I’ve come to take you out for lunch…”
“I’ve been here for a year, and you’ve never even called,” Valerie snapped. “I think I know why you’re here!”
“Come on, Gran,” Steve smiled uneasily. “I’ve missed you, and so have Dina and the kids…”
“You know about the Bavarian mansion, right?” asked Valerie. “And you’ve come sniffing after the money?”
“Now, Gran,” Steve said, sounding hurt. “I just want what’s best for you. At your age, things can get confusing…”
“Not at all, Steve,” Valerie replied, smiling. “My head is clear as a bell, and I have declarations from two doctors saying so. Just so you know, I’ve revoked your power of attorney. You want the money, you’ll have to wait until I die!”
Steve left in a huff. Valerie, determined to manage her own affairs, did so quite well and stayed in the home where she finally made friends. She lived on for many more years, occasionally traveling to Europe with her adventurous friends.
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When she passed away peacefully at the age of 97, Steve was summoned for the reading of her will. The lawyer handed him an envelope and walked away.
“Wait!” cried Steve. “Surely there are papers to sign? Property transfers?”
The lawyer smiled. “Mrs. Dumont was very organized. You’ll see that everything is taken care of.”
Steve opened the envelope. Inside was a note in Valerie’s familiar spiky handwriting: “Dear Steve. Don’t think I forgot about you, my only grandson. You’ll get your share of the inheritance in this envelope.”
Steve peeked into the brown envelope, expecting a check, but a $1 bill fell out. Stapled to it was another note: “Buy yourself a conscience.”
Steve’s greed had cost him everything he had wanted, as Valerie had left her money to her friend Martin and his family.
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