So ehhh... About a month or so ago the really old chick that lives next door took a nasty spill in the street?

Question

I really dont know anything about her other than the neighborhood info... which is no friends and she has outlived her whole family... come to think of it I dont even know her name... just found her layin in the street and called 911... anyhow...

Since she has been gone her property has fallen into disrepair... the monsoon season has taken out a tree in her backyard, a bunch of shingles from her roof and even busted a window... So... I wanna go fix the stuff but the wife is worried I will get popped for trespassing or some such... So then... heres my questions...

A: Could I get into trouble for working on her house even if I never actually enter it... just worked on the stuff outside?

B: Is there some way I could track her down to get permission knowing only her address?

C: Is there some city hall office I could get permission from if I cant find the lady?

D: Any general advice would be helpful...

Answer 1

I would enroll a couple of neighbors to help me get in, and get out with a quick fix of the major stuff.  My only concern with the town government is that they will be paralyzed to give permission.  On the other hand, if you can find some old, crusty officer to tell "the boys" to look the other way that might be your better route.  You could put a skip trace by asking the local post office to give you a current address on the woman.   Her mail must be forwarded somewhere?    Again, you may need to be selective in your choice of postal employee to ask for reasons of the same government paralysis as with the police.  It is a generous offer to perform the job.   But, learning if the woman is alive and if there is an attorney-in-fact who is authorized to manage her business would be helpful.  Also if someone knows her legal name it would be helpful in your trace project.  

Answer 2

Going to city hall actually wouldn't be a bad idea. They'd be able at the very least to help you find out where the lady is at.  Yes, you are better off getting some kind of permission before you go fixing stuff up over there.  Very commendable that you want to this though.  

Answer 3

That's so sweet you would do something like that. Chances are she is in the local hospital. But I would gather other people to help and bring it to the attention of some one at city hall and see what they say. Chances are since you're with a group, they shouldn't see a problem with your good deed.

Answer 4

I believe you can take care of the yard without any problems… but I would be hesitant to work on the roof or house  (maybe cover the roof with a tarp and put temporary plywood over the window)  

Hunting her down:

1st … do you see her mail building up?  If not, see if you can find out who is picking it up and talk to them.

Next --

Lets start with a reverse search on Whitepages.com

http://www.whitepages.com/find_neighbors

Type in her address and it will give you her name and address (as well as her neighbors, including yours)

From there you can either contact the ambulance company that picked her up and ask where she was taken – or contact the hospitals in your area (nursing homes and/or rehab centers) and ask if she has been admitted. (Typically most people sign release forms for HIPPA that information can be given if someone calls in.)

From there you can either go see her and talk to her about helping her out at the house, or see if the hospital has a next of kin, social worker, or authorized representative that is handling her affairs while she is re-cooping and speak to them.

Very very very nice of you!

Answer 5

The only one that can give you permission would be the owner of the property or a relative. I would get permission before doing major work on the house. I wouldn't worry about the yard work( I don't think you can get in trouble for doing that). As far as finding her City Hall should be able to help you with that.