Study a casual way at 60

Some people have asked me why I started to study law at the age 60.  I have some reasons, it is a bit long story, but let me explain here.

Yasu, my husband, graduated from one of the best national universites in our area.  When he was 22, he started working as a junior high school until he retired at 60.  He lived with his mother, Tae, and his younger sister, Sachi, until he was 50, and we got married when he was 52.   It was the first marriage for both of us.

Tae was born to local farmers in Taisho era, a very hardworking woman, but she never let Sachi work or get married.  So, when Tae became elderly, Sachi took care of her alone, refusing any help from professional caregivers.  Tae passed away five years ago at the age of 98.

What surprised me was that Sachi didn’t tell Yasu about their mother’s passing until six months later. Normally, close family members inform each other right away, so I found it very strange.

As I looked into things, I discovered that Sachi has an intellectual disability.  Later, I also learned that Yasu has been officially certified as having one too. I have been busy going to the municipal hall and complete the procedure for tax benefits due to my husband's disability.

To make matters worse, some of Yasu’s relatives are trying to take the land he inherited from Tae. We don’t want to be taken advantage of, so I’m studying law as hard as I can to protect our rights.

In fact my husband, Yand I have talked to lawyers about the land a few years ago.  We found that we had difficulties to understand legal terms even though it is explained in Japanese, and we are sure that we have to face legal problems in the near future. 

Lawyers are generally busy, and we have to pay them for one consulting by hour.   That is why I started to study law.  I am not intended to be a lawyer at the age of 60s.  But if I understand legal terms, it helps to understand a lot when consulting a lawyer.