Inheritance Left in a Will, & Associated ‘Joint Account’ Holders

Savvy_Sue

scream85 wrote: »

Other concerns RE: the house is that they are trying to pressure her to do maintenance and repairs to the house using her money, that really don't need doing. Extra work to the house will improve the value, without costing them a penny. It's this kind of petty thing we are worried about really.

That is one of the problems of a house being left in this way, but have you checked the wording of the will because sometimes the question of who pays for repairs and maintenance after the first death is covered: this can be important if the survivor has the right to remain in the house, BUT has no assets / income with which to repair a crumbling ruin.

And having said that, it is worth taking a long hard look at maintenance and repairs, because the old saying of 'a stitch in time saves nine' is certainly true, and it's often easier to sort things out while people are of sound mind and body than when they're frail and / or confused.

Although I am perhaps not impartial in this, as we are trying to persuade my mother to get a plumber to fix a dripping tap and to get the leaking gutters repaired. On one level these things don't 'need' doing, but we can't help feeling that it's easier to tackle jobs one at a time in their early stages of disrepair rather than waiting until major repairs are needed.

Mojisola

scream85 wrote: »

The son has already got power of attourney on his wife's mother's assets and property..... despite being of sound mind, she now sits in an old people's home, whilst her house is rented out, with the rental income going to the son-in-law. Regards the money, £3k a year is transferred across into their private bank accounts to take full advance of gift allowance. Hence we are a little apprehensive of their future surprises!!

With people like this, you need to keep a very careful eye on them.

Unless his parents-in-law were giving them £3k a year before he took over the power of attorney, he is acting unlawfully and could be leaving himself open to prosecution.

Also, if his mother-in-law is of sound mind, she can take back control any time she likes. It sounds as if she needs some help from these people - https://www.elderabuse.org.uk/

It might be worth you contacting them on your mother's behalf because of his actions with his MiL. Forewarned is forearmed and Elder Abuse will know the kind of things he might try.

Susan_Frost

When all the dust settles, I would imagine that your Nan would not really have any relationship with her husbands family as there would be no love lost either way.

I would suggest she keeps away from them, and if they do come around, the family let them know they are not wanted (if that's what she wants)

If they do hassle her, get the police involved and get an injunction. My thoughts are that she is now in her 90s and can do without all this.

But - hey - what a great time she and stepgdad had. That's the way to do it folks.