Almost impossible for a squatter to pay any property tax unless the owner authorizes it and it would be the whole bill I expect. The squatters do not have their own property numbers to pay against.

You mentioned he seems to have some money. Personally I suspect he may have gotten worried about the whole situation and is communicating this with your mother. A lot of us procrastinate on occasion but this solves nothing usually. That is exactly what I expect he has been doing perhaps not knowing what to do.

They need a lawyer local to them to sit down and talk with. An older guy with lots of property experience and not a shyster would be ideal. Should not be that expensive and I suggest a sit down as something has to be started. No offence to younger lawyers but in general the older ones have worked out things better in my cases.

Plus that lawyer can access the client much better in person and get a feel for what he feels and is dealing with. A 94 year old guy would not feel all that comforatable with a phone consultation in my opinion anyways or perhaps just less comforatable.

Your mother being his wife should attend as well. Her interest if any may not change but she will know the status. For example once again for many reasons he may procrastinate at the meeting without her input. Discussions at a meeting with him alone could also raise more questions than answers between the two.

This may turn really ugly and that is a solid reason to have a lawyer directly involved. Part of their jobs that I have no envy for is dealing with ugly situations. Kind of part and parcel of their business unfortunately.

Your father in law if approached by those involved then can simply tell them to communicate with either his lawyer or their own. He is taking care of it for me as I do not know much about these things.

My suspicion is there might even be a will change after this is done. That's if one exists. If you can encourage this to happen you probably have done about all you can.

Older guys do not like to spend money in general I understand being one myself. You just have to sometimes as there is no sane alternative. Unless I guess you are satisfied to leave a real mess behind. Also your mother might suggest in the event she had to attempt to deal with it later herself and does not want to. It should be done now.

Us older guys are not always the brightest remember. The majority of women possibly think not at any age. I do not know how Americans think in some areas.

At that age I was even wondering about some temporary power of attorney to take the heat. He or she would have the ideal defense and take the heat of acting in the old gents best interests instead of him. The lawyer for example might be temporarily made one for a short time. Even for this an opinion is needed.

I have a feeling some of our on board lawyers may correct my thinking where required. Wait a bit and see.