It was unclear how much of the cash he and his granddaughter, 35-year-old Jaclyn Fraley, used to purchase the single-story home, which Potter built nearly six decades ago with his late wife.
Fraley told ABC News the accepted offer was “five figures,” but less than the money raised through the website GoFundMe.com. She said the remaining money would be used for her grandfather’s care and other things he may need around the house.
“I want to express my appreciation for all those people who helped me,” Potter told the news station. “It wasn’t one person, it wasn’t a hundred but over 5,000 people and I certainly appreciate it more than they will ever know.”
The Vinton County Courthouse will move to dismiss a scheduled eviction hearing after it was notified that the family feud had been resolved, Fraley said.
The deal came months after Janice Cottrill, Potter’s granddaughter — and Fraley’s mother — had turned down the retired train dispatcher’s original offer of $60,000, about $10,000 more than its estimated worth.
Cottrill took ownership of the home in 2004, when she used a power of attorney to transfer the deed under her name.
But Potter didn’t learn that his daughter owned the home until six years later, when his daughter argued he was legally incompetent and needed to move to a nursing home, Fraley has said.
Their relationship then took a sharp nosedive after Cottrill took custody of her older brother, Joe, who is autistic and had been living with his father. Potter and his daughter often argued over visitation rights.
In January, Cottrill and her husband filed an eviction notice against Potter — who retaliated with Fraley by raising enough money to keep the house.
“I had this house for over 50 years before this took place,” Potter told ABC News. “It just knocked me for a loop and I have worried all day every day ever since and now I am so happy I don't have to worry about it anymore."
