Helping the Elderly

This is for my dad's brother who lives in Waukon, Iowa. He and his wife have been living in the same home for over 50 years and have recently become landlocked by their neighbors. He is 79 years old and his wife is 75.  They are both retired and live on a fixed income.  What should have been a wonderful new neighbor experience has become a nightmare. Instead of becoming part of the neighborhood they have become a headache. My aunt has had many medical issues over the years and now doesn't have access to emergency services because her neighbors park their cars across the driveway to block anyone from coming or going. The new neighbors purchased the property as a bank repo. For the many years before this there was never a problem. My uncle even gave the bank the right of way to run city sewer to their home across his property. It's a common courtesy that's not being returned.

Now my uncle and aunt are being forced to pay over $23,000 for their combined lawyer fees that should have never been needed. Plus they have to build a new road to access their property.

The new neighbors have decided that blocking the driveway with vehicles and no trespassing signs is ok to do since they own the property. They plan to build a garage at the end of the street you see in the picture which will totally block access to my uncles home.  I understand this but what ever happen to respecting your elders. They have been trying to reach an agreement in the courts on right of ways and the young couple will not agree to anything. It's sad that the town has paved the road and maintained it all these years and now this couple can come to town and do this to an elderly couple. 

They need all the help they can get to raise the money to build a new road access and pay their lawyer fees.  Right now they have to walk down the street through the elements just to reach their own driveway. With the recent ice storm that is not easy to do when you are in your late 70's. Really how do they sleep at night? If you can help please let me know. Thanks Jessica