Unknown Daughter Ignites Court Battle

When Louis R. DeSanctis died intestate, his extended familyof nieces and nephews were shocked to discover his estate was worth over $32million, which he amassed as owner of several private parking lots and twobusinesses in East Boston.

The extended family was even more shocked to learn that theuncle they thought they knew was married and had a daughter, a daughter whostepped up to claim her inheritance following her father’s death.

Despite the family’s efforts to have Mary Verna DeSanctistake a DNA test, a Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed a previous ruling thatshe was the estate’s rightful heir.  Thecourt based its opinion on a signed and notarized statement by Louis to havehis daughter’s birth certificate amended, which served as an acknowledgement ofhis paternity.

Mary Verna DeSanctis is now an old widow with two growndaughters.  She now lives in SouthCarolina, but grew up with her mother in Miami along with Louis, who wouldspent several months a year there.  MaryVerna says she was unaware that her father was ill and just as unaware of hisfamily in Boston.

See David Abel, Surprise Heir Sets Off Battle in Court,The Boston Globe, Feb. 21, 2011.