This story really hits home with me, because around the turn of the millennium, I lost my home due to being legally unable to inherit from my late partner. He actually did leave a will, and I did inherit other things from him, but not our apartment where I had lived for 10 years. The co-op agreement, which specified that only certain relatives (like married couples, children, and siblings) could inherit, superseded the will.

So I found myself grieving in many ways like you write about here. And then I had to pack up and go, leaving all our shared memories behind.

That wouldn't happen in today's New York City where we lived. We would have been able to marry, and the co-op agreement would therefore have included me.

I was more fortunate than Angie, however, in inter- family dynamics. My late partner's niece, who was his closest relative, I had no objection to my taking the lead in arranging his memorial service and other details.

And nobody tried to dispute the will except for our co-op board.

It's interesting for me to see some of the parallels and differences in cultural experiences in this regard. I'm also fascinated that this film might have played a role in shaping conversations and making things better.

Thanks so much for sharing with us!