I sincerely hope it works out for you and the family. Unfortunately this is not an age thing; I am 61 and have been estranged from my brother, 57, to whom I was previously very close and looked after him when he was very young, for more than 30 years. As I have never been married, although I know I have a brother and three nephews (but don't know now where they live), whenever I go into hospital or for treatment, I have to answer 'No known living relatives' to the ' next-of-kin' question. I trust that your problem will have an happier ending.