This is a gal I worked with 30 yrs ago and her sister. She was married to this man and divorced then lived together for the past 25 yrs. I had no idea they were not married. This is in Seattle. She went to stay with her sister because they live far apart and she needed to come to town for the dentist and doct appts. She was gone over a week and when she got back after he was not answering the phone found him dead. They said he was dead a week and half. Extremities everywhere. She has a limited income and hired the cheapest of two estimates to have the mess cleaned up. They did not run some sort of machine for ozone and then she found out they were not even licensed. She spent all she had and now her home is a mess. They tore out walls, cut the floor and carpets and still told her they think a animal went in and died in the walls. She has magets too in the walls. She can not go back to live and it is a mess. She has no money for an attorney too. Any suggestions how to solve this problem. Besides the burial and all this has put more stress on her and her sister who are both living on nothing to begin with. They buried their mom a couple of years ago and the other sister my friend has been in depression since, since she lived with her for yrs. God bless any thing you can come up with. Not a pretty picture. I have not had to care for funeral expenses and my dad and grandparents died in hospitals. But I am at the age more and more people my age are dying. Maybe something we all should know if a parent or partner dies what do we do. The police were of no help to these single poor women. Take care much prayers are needed. G. W
Email me at ____@____.com Myhusband and I used to own Chem-Dry Franchises (CHem-Dry of Washington) up in Seattle and we have some contacts that might be able to help you!
E. Herman
Cornerstone Chem-Dry
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.co2cleaners.com
Any homeowners insurance?
Call the Attorney General's office and report the business, then call the MORTGAGE company (if they have one). The lender "owns" the house as collateral and certainly cares if it goes to pieces. They may have a legal dept that will help her.
God bless you both.
I see that you already have a promising lead for cleaning. I did want to pass along though that I've seen on TV crime and forensics shows that there are companies who specialize in crime scene clean up. These folks are familiar with the gore and the complications of it all and know what they're getting into. The police department or state police might be able to put you on to someone if your other lead fails.
As far as an attorney is concerned, contacting Legal Aid is probably the best route to pursue. Depending upon the amount she's trying to recover though, she may be able to get resolution through small claims court or through a local arbitration or mediation center.
The ozone machine removes the odors in the air and neutralizes their source.
I'd suggest she talk with the police department and ask for the Victim's Assistance Advocate if they have one. There is probably some type of Crime Victims Compensation available through the state, possibly through the Attorney General's Office. This could potentially be used for burial expenses, possibly the cleaning and maybe for some counselling for her. The police should be able to help educate her on what's available and how to apply for it. I'll keep them in my prayers. She's lucky to have you as a friend.
Hi,
I knew that in PA, if your income below certain level, the state will help you find an attorney and state pays for it.
Perhaps WA state has similar policy.
Good luck!!
C.
If there is no money for an attorney this is definately a hard situation. I would suggest looking into trying to find one that might do some probono work. I would also look into setting up some sort of fundraiser/donation thing for this poor woman. The church is a good place to ask for help and advice also. Good Luck and God Bless your friend :)
Sadly, I have buried a few people in the last 5 years, and I have some limited experience. The cheapest thing to do (now this may be harsh, but these were the options given to me at a difficult time).....the most economical thing to do is to have the medical examiner have the body, and the city does a mass cremation ( you would not get any of the remains), but you can still have a private (maybe just she and her sister) a private rememberance service. The next most economical is a private cremation at a discount cremation service (usually can be found for under $1000), and you can keep the ashes to have your own service, etc. She should contact her local social worker (call the local hospital and ask to speak to theirs for a referral). This probably hasn't been much help, but I hope she finds the help she needs. Good luck.
What a nightmare! I'm so sorry for your friend's troubles. She should contact the business bureau for your area and report these crooks. Then there should be a legal aid available. Your local bar association can help you connect with the right attorney to handle the case. Have her get as much documentation as possible. Good luck!
I'm sorry your friend is going through this.
Did she and her hubby/live in not have any type of plan? Most likely, 1 person will die first and most of the time, plans are in place for burial, cremation, services, etc. I know my hubby and I have had plans in place for years. Having a plan, even a simple one, helps someone go through the process al little easier. That way, it is more likely that uncessessary spending and desicions would be made.
As for the house, I would think the city would step in because this is a health hazard for her and her neighbors.
She should contact her city for help. There should be some sort of legal services available to her so she can be best advised as how to get everything together.
Good luck to her. This should be a wake up call to a lot of people who don't plan on the future.
I can not guarantee this will work but it is worth a try. Ask her contact a few or several local churchs in her area. Speak to the pastor and explain her situation. (Even if she is not religious) My thought is the churchs work with several funeral homes that can help or know someone who does this kind of work. Also the churchs may have a member who is an attorney or know of one. People tend to be more willing to help the church. Tell her not to stick to one kind of church or color. You never know who needs who that can help. Gook luck to her!!
G.,
In Seattle (and elsewhere in the country), there is a 2-1-1 number that can be called. this is a local clearinghouse of services and organizations in the Seattle area might be able to help your friend. you might want to pass this on to her.
I'm sorry that your friend is having these problems. It's all so extreme, like you said. I've never heard of something like this before.
Best of luck to her.
