Real Life MMD: Do I have a right to my niece's money back?

Sooler

boots_babe wrote: »

Not quite sure how they managed to clear out the account when you only gave them the account details?

Exactly ... this is a wind up

shellsuit

Has the proper thread for this dilemma been deleted? (Sorry, it's too alike not to be based on it)

If so, in the original situation was that the person had given her sister the passbook for the account.


ETA, here we go : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3056798


Like the others have said, if what is in the OP was a genuine case, then nobody would have been able to get at the money just by knowing the account number.

CopperPlate_2

I think it's all relative. There isn't enough information on which to judge - if it was a case of using the money to pay the mortgage to keep the roof over their heads for a few months, then that's the way it has to be. If it was because they racked up ridiculous credit card debts jetting off to Florida without having some cash in the bank for a rainy day, then that's different. If the account was opened in your name on behalf of your niece, there's an element of dishonesty creeping in as they didn't tell you they were taking it (but then there's all the additional issues like shame, pride, guilt, and so on...).

On a purely one issue basis - what they did was wrong in so far as if there were financial difficulties, then the least they should've done was tell you they were using the money and why, along with a promise it would be replaced (with interest) once times got good again. Think there's every reason for the contributor to the account to feel aggrieved and take it up with the parents but on the basis of them replacing the cash for their daughter, rather than the aunt.

Brian_Steele

You don't have any right to the money back. It was given in good faith and as the account is now empty, you cannot even take back "what's yours".

At the risk of causing an irrevocable family breakdown, it is tempting to tell the niece. Not necessarily as "your parents have ripped you off", but simply tell her that now she's 18, there is a bank account into which you have been paying regularly for the last so many years and that all the money in there is hers. Tell her that her parents already have the details to access it, so she should ask them about it.

gaily

Brian_Steele wrote: »

simply tell her that now she's 18, there is a bank account into which you have been paying regularly for the last so many years and that all the money in there is hers. Tell her that her parents already have the details to access it, so she should ask them about it.

Brain - I like your attitude. I think i'd give the parents a bit of warning, and let them know how much the niece will be expecting to be in there (interest and all) and sit back and watch the fireworks!!

Mind you, if the family are low enough to steal from their daughters savings account then it is likley that she'll be well aware of what they're capable of

Tina_A

You most definately should expect the money to be paid back into the account and then promptly close it and open another just for you to deposit. I hate people who take advantage of others it's not right.:mad:

phoebe03cat

I agree; all you can do is tell her the facts and leave the immediate family to come to a reconciliation. It may be that the niece has already benefitted prior to being 18, even though its not what you asked for. I would be very hurt personally, especially if I hadn't been informed, but at least you know the reality of your family's characters. I would also feel entitled to ask where it had been used. Best for both your niece and yourself to face reality, test those ties and be prepared to let them drift. If it's genuine usage in times of desperation the bond will hold anyway. Call me cynical, but sadly in my experience turning the other cheek, just gets you kicked on the other side

carlyjane_x

OMG cannot understand why anybody would spend their daughters money - money troubles or not it isn't theirs to spend!! I would definately ask for the money, save it up and personally hand it to your niece yourself when she hits 18!

Marco12452

Phone the police !!!
It's disgraceful, I can't understand how they could do this without talking to you first and agreeing a loan from the account with a payback plan.

Ebenezer_Screwj

You did not just give account details to the parents for paying in, you obviously made them parties to the account or they would not be able to draw upon it. Your niece is still a minor so the funds would be deemed to be "in trust" for her and any adult signatory to the account is entitled to draw upon them.