Hello,

My wife recieved a "gift" form her mom of aproximately 250K plus a house (that her mom has "lifetime use" of) worth 100K. The bulk of these moneys were supposed to be deignated in a seperate account in my wife name only, and a some has slowly been put into joint acounts such as both of our IRA's and paying off our marital mortagage of 40,000.

2 questions;

Are the funds that are in the joint acounts now marital assets even though they came form seperate money?

The money that is supposed to be in her name only is actually in an old joint accoount of ours. I know my wife was told that she should cange the names on the account, but I guess she never did. There is about 175K in this account. I have no desire to a share of this money, but am wondering if I have a rigth to it that I could use for a negotiating point on other matters.

I do have desire to have a share on the money in the joint accounts. As the lawyer who set up the estate plan for them also said "you have helped take care of them (inlaws who are disabled) for 20+ years, it wouldnt hurt to get something"

Advice?

Thanks,

DKC