Well Here's A Nice Story, And A Bit Of Justice...

[WillyT]

Homeless man receives life-changing inheritance
A homeless man in Utah has been tracked down by a private detective and told that he is to receive a life-changing inheritance.
By Jon Swaine, New York - UKTelegraph
5:54PM BST 19 Jun 2011

<snip>

Max Melitzer, who pushed his possessions around Salt Lake City in a shopping trolley, has been left a "significant" amount of money by his brother, who died of cancer, said the detective, David Lundberg. Mr Lundberg found Mr Melitzer, who is in his 60s, in a park on Saturday afternoon. "He'll no longer be living on the street or in abandoned storage sheds," he said."He'll be able to have a normal life, and be able to have a home, provide for himself, and purchase clothing, food and health care".



Mr Lundberg had been searching for Mr Melitzer for the past two months, on behalf of his brother's family's New York lawyers. He declined to name the family or give the precise sum involved. He said that after news of his search was broadcast on local radio, he received a tip-off that the homeless man was in Pioneer Park. He broke the news to him while the pair sat on a bench and chatted.

"He's still in shock," said Mr Lundberg. "This came out of nowhere. He's a really mellow guy in his 60s, very sweet and more articulate than I thought for a man in his position".

<snip>

Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8585136/Homeless-man-receives-life-changing-inheritance.html

:kick:

[Merlot]

1. So the brother had enough money to leave him a sizable amount

and must have known of his brothers approximate whereabouts and homelessness but doesn't reach out while he's alive?

[LisaL]

2. He was found by a private detective.

Which suggests his family did not know where he was.

[Merlot]

3. It only took the detective 2 months

they could have looked for him at any time. Unless the brother has a mental problem and likes being on the street, it seems like a little bit of money could have made this mans life easier sooner.

[BillyJack]

6. I totally understand what you are saying.....

....and I agree with you (and what you posted in Post #1 as well).

There is MUCH more to this story than what was posted in the short article. Indeed, there is much more to this story in the days ahead. The "inheritor"/brother needs something much more valuable than money. I hope & pray that he get it/finds it. The money can help a little. However, it's quite possible/likely that the brother will be inundated by greedy leaches who will just 'relieve' him of his new found money, unfortunately.

[csziggy]

5. Read the entire article at the link - that will answer your question

The family did have contact with Mr. Melitzer by letters. It seems to have been his choice to not have more contact with his family.

[roguevalley]

7. there are problems that last all their lives that at the end mean

nothing. make amends when you're alive. as for homeless people ... some are hurting and don't want to be found. a lot of families try. I don't know the situation here but it could be he tried before. Very sad ending but good for this man that he will have comfort and a family to help him.

[BillyJack]

8. Family isn't always a 'comfort'. Sometimes it is the source of a long festering problem

that was never addressed properly - or addressed AT ALL.

Not enough information in the article for this case in particular, not that an article can express all of the deep seated elements involved when it comes to 'family'.

Sorry, but I just don't take kindly to glib comments like your last sentence: Very sad ending but good for this man that he will have comfort and a family to help him.

[starroute]

4. Maybe the brother didn't leave a will and this guy was the next of kin

These things do happen -- and in that case, it would be up to the executors of the estate to figure out who it should go to and track him down.