102-yo shocks adult children with marriage to caregiver of 17 years
Does proximity make the heart grow fonder? The nine children of 102-year-old Mr. Wang were shocked to learn that their elderly father had married his 68-year-old caregiver of 17 years. They found out when the youngest son wanted to visit their dad in central Taipei on Thursday, only to be denied entry to the apartment by Ms. Lai, the former caregiver who is now his stepmother. She even hired another caregiver to take over her job. The marriage was confirmed to be legitimate, but Mr. Wang’s children believe Lai had taken advantage of their aging father, and are taking the matter to court. Let’s take a look at our exclusive report.
- Ms. Lai, we’re here to see dad. You can’t stop us from visiting my father!
The youngest son of a 102-year-old man is paying a visit, only to be denied entry by his caregiver, who’s hired another caregiver to take over her job. But that’s not the most shocking part. The caregiver is now his stepmother.
- The borough official told me that as his spouse, I have the right to refuse.
The younger Mr. Wang was exasperated that he was barred from entering his father’s residence in central Taipei. He also strongly doubts the caregiver’s motive marrying his father.
Wang Feng-shou
Mr. Wang’s youngest son
My father’s 102 years old. He got married, and none of us nine children knew. Would you find this to be reasonable in any way?
The elder Mr. Wang’s rapidly declining health put him under long-term live-in care. His children found out that the marriage was registered only on Monday Jan. 5.
Wang Feng-shou
Mr. Wang’s youngest son
Ms. Lai did all she could to stop us from taking our father back to his hometown, so he could be surrounded by our extended family. She only admitted that she’s now the spouse of his. I was so shocked, and so was the police.
The younger Mr. Wang said that on Jan. 8, he and his siblings arrived at their father’s place to take him out for a walk. To their bewilderment, his caregiver tried to stop them, and so they called the police. When the police arrived, they were shocked to learn, upon an ID inspection, that Lai was married to their father. She revealed that the registration was completed three days before, and as his spouse, she had the power to make decisions on his behalf. She retorted that after the elder Wang was sent to ER when he fell down last June, the doctor advised him against going out to crowded public spaces.
Wang Feng-shou
Mr. Wang’s youngest son
We were on the right side in the beginning. But after she showed her ID, I told the police that there’s nothing I can do at this point. This is a civil case now. You can’t imagine just how greedy she is.
Lai had been Wang’s live-in caregiver for 17 years. Considering their father’s rapidly deteriorating condition, the children had applied to gain guardianship of him in November. They did not imagine that he would get married before the court made a decision on the case.
Wang Feng-shou
Mr. Wang’s youngest son
Over the years she’s taken care of my father, he’s gained seven properties and about NT$80 million in insurance coverage under his name.
According to the Household Registration Office that approved the marriage, Mr. Wang was coherent in making statements, and so the marriage was legal and valid. Still, it’s a nasty surprise for the kids, who were completely left in the dark and are now taking the matter to court.
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#legal #civilcode #marriage #professionalethics #ethics #caregiving #family
2026-01-09
