When Cathy was just 10 years old, her mother, Debra, vanished under suspicious circumstances. Despite multiple investigations, Debra was never found, and no official declaration of death was ever made. For over 15 years, Cathy and her grandmother continued living in Debra’s home, making mortgage payments and maintaining the property—but without legal ownership, their hands were tied.

Now an adult with a husband and newborn child, Cathy was ready to move on and sell the home that had become both a haven and a painful reminder of the past. However, a critical legal issue stood in her way: the title to the home was still in Debra’s name, and Debra was still legally presumed alive.

Maria and Barbara were Don's neighbors for over a decade and his closest friends. In fact, when Don's wife passed away several years ago, they became the closest to relatives he had, aside from his two dogs.

Maria treated Don as a daughter did a father. It was no surprise that in his will, he assigned her as his estate's personal representative.

The will also stated that Barbara would inherit $100,000 and custody of his two dogs. Maria would get the rest of his estate and remaining assets valued at $500,000.