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Remedies Keyed to Tabb, 8th
Matter of Estate of Zent
Citation:
459 N.W.2d 795 (1990)Facts
Ann Johnson and John Zent met in Mandan, North Dakota in late 1979 and developed a close personal relationship that lasted until his death in June 1988. Although marriage was discussed, they maintained separate residences but spent six to ten hours together almost daily. Their relationship evolved through two distinct stages: initially social in nature involving movies, dinners, and vacations together, and later transforming into a caregiving relationship as John progressively deteriorated due to back surgery complications, multiple strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease. From 1985 until 1988, Johnson provided increasingly intensive care as John’s mental and physical condition declined. By his final year, John could not dress or bathe himself, became confused about basic tasks like locating the bathroom, experienced incontinence requiring cleanup multiple times daily, and needed constant supervision to prevent wandering and getting lost. John’s treating physician corroborated this testimony, stating that after October 1986, John required skilled nursing care equivalent to 24-hour supervision. In June 1988, John was admitted to a nursing home where he died three weeks later.
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