We learned what the “friends” of a client’s deceased sister cared for when we took their depositions in an estate proceeding; it was her money. As her health deteriorated, one friend took her vehicle, and both friends took her to her bank when she was confused. Each “friend” had her change the beneficiary designations so they would get her assets when she died. She died within a month of those changes.
The case was initiated by the decedent’s bank when the “friends” both tried to claim who got the remaining assets. The Bank deposited the funds with the court. The Court notified the decedent’s family, who lived far away. Someone entered her home, rummaged through her documents, took her will, and her “friends” then tried to claim what the decedent wanted. Of course, someone was lying because the “friends'” stories were not the same. Since the decedent’s family lived several hours away, it was easier to take advantage of her. Friends care about you, not what you have, which is how they reveal who they truly are. Greed is insatiable, after all.