urgent advise needed

LJ1

My elderly mother is hopeless with money - she is housbound and i go to the bank etc for her. About a year ago she went into hospital and while in ambulance she told me about various boxes she had in house - i think i found about 10k in total - i put this into a old bank account for safe keeping as didnt have access to her bank accounts - she ended up being in hospital for 11 weeks. As i do shopping etc for her and buy larger items if needed, ie new washiing machine, TV etc i have just used the money set aside in my bank account to buy these things - my mum is happy for this to happen, and its easier for me - however i feel i really should have something drawn up to say the money in this particular account is in fact my mums and i am holding it for her. Does anyone know if there is something i can do - ie a DIY document - or does this have to be via lawyer.

shrewsaver

You could put the money back into your mums account and get the bank to draw up a third party mandate or you could open up a joint account up with your mum of which either of you could sign on the account and both will be able to hold cards and chq books.

Hope this helps.

Blah99

Easiest way is to have her sign a letter, in front of a witness (who also signs), that confirms what you've said. If the issue is just that she's elderly then this will be sufficient. If you think there's likely to be a dispute (eg: later on family complaining about it) then you should do it with a solicitor to prevent any non compos mentis claims. A solicitor won't charge you much to do it anyway.