Possible Theft of Land Compensation by Father

[CuteBunny]

I have an issue that is in regard to the possible theft of compensation money from property owned by me, and may have been taken by my Father. The land and compensation are and were issued in Greece, however we are both legal residents of California, and the theft would have taken place inside the US. I am not sure of the exact jurisdiction or proper place for this thread accordingly.

I am a dual citizen of both Greece and America. My Father is a green carded resident alien. I own property in Thesportia, Greece along with my sister, and brother. The local government took the property in stages to build a road for the expansion of the town. This happened in stages, and the payments are being made in stages as well. One year ago the first payment was made, and received through my Father, for roughly 5,000 in US dollar amount. The next payment which should already be in or coming in is around 60k in Euro to be split three ways between me, my sister, and brother.

Keeping this short, the rest of my family has been very quiet, and non talkative to me for the last few months. There has been a lot more happening to keep communication not happening between us, but I'll save that for later. So I have been thinking something was up for awhile now with the timing of everything. Last week it just became cemented in my mind that games are being played because the money has come in.

I called my Father last week and the conversation was interesting. I asked if he knew anything new in regards to the land, and my Father said he hadn't heard anything. He explained that he was exhausted from being in the middle of remodeling his home in NM. It is important to note that my Father is on disability, and does not have much money at all... ever. He has described remodeling his home in the manner he is as a dream in the past. So this sent up red flags to me. There are other similar red flags that have occurred since around Christmas time, but again they can wait so this isn't a novel. I decided to see what the response would be, so I told my Father that "I had hired an attorney that has a practice both here in the States and in Greece." 'That I was revoking the power of attorney that I had given the year before(even though it was only good for 6 months anyways). An that "I was going to handle my end from here on out." He said he understood, and that was pretty much that. At the time I had concerns, but no reason to outright disbelieve what he had said.

The following evening he called me back with "Good news". He said that the compensation had come in during Christmas time, and that it was in Greece waiting for us, and that we had to go the Greek embassy and send my uncle in Greece a new power of attorney and then everyone could receive their share. He said that everyone is waiting for our signatures so the money can be distributed. Now everyone in my extended family that is still in Greece would need this money, and for them to just let it sit without trying to get in contact with us is very suspicious. His explanations became erratic, at one point the money was in and waiting, a little later the lawyer in Greece had to return to court one last time. It became clear to me though that the idea of me having another attorney snooping through the proceedings was not a comfortable thought for him. He assured me that we would get our money but that it could take a couple months, or longer. He seemed to be buying time, and having me on hold indefinitely. He thinks that he can just make me wait while he does whatever he is doing. But the last time it took only two weeks as there was a slight issue with accounts. This is all just stall tactics he is using trying to make me think that this is just the way it is in Greece. He thinks that since I don't speak Greek fluently that he can play these games.

So it would appear to me that the money has come in, and that my father has kept my share for himself. As this issue spans two countries, but both of us are residents here in the states I don't know exactly what jurisdiction it would fall under. The payment would have been sent lump summed to my father to distribute among me, my brother, and sister. So the theft if it has happened would have taken place here in the States.

It is important for me to note that according to my father's interpretation of Greek law to me prior to all of this, that he believes that since Greece's legal system is what it is, he believes himself able to get away with skirting around the edges of the laws there, and nothing can happen to him here. I realize that is generalized statement, but that is his mindset. This compensation is important to my family as I have five children, and have been working towards starting a family business for the last few years, among other issues.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I can explain everything in much greater detail than above, but wanted to get the basics into this post. Thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

After your lawyer in Greece confirms whether or not money was distributed to you, such that you aren't merely guessing, if your father won't give you your money you can consider suing him. You will need to consider the likely impact of suing you father on your future relationship with your father. Your lawyer in Greece can help you obtain the legal documents you will need to prove a case in a U.S. court, along with the certified translations you'll need to try to use those documents in court. You ignored the instruction to identify your U.S. state - you will need to investigate the court rules of your state in relation to what level of certification you will require to have the court accept documents issued by a Greek court.

Unless and until you determine the actual facts, you don't have a case that you can prove in court or that the U.S. police will be in a position to investigate.