gee, sounds just like RL, the feds got it... probably for back taxes.
I have a hack, mikes transfer vase or something like that, and I think you can transfer all the old boy's things with it to a younger sim before he croaks. Might head off the problem in the future. The name of the file is Mike_1102_TransferInventoryVase.package - I think I got it at MTS2. (Not 100% sure) Good luck
here 'tis:
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=228385