Should my 78 year old mum buy a flat?

meg72

McKneff wrote: »

Personally, I would have a look at the will and check everything.

Did the house wholly belong to him. Seems a bit unfair on your mum. Knowing him, would he really have done this to her, he loved
her enough to marry her.

Did he make his will before or after he married your mum, makes a big difference.
If before and he didnt change it, marriage voids a will written before hand

This makes so much sense,and I would check this out before advising your Mum to do anything.
I it turns out that this is right and she must move then I would not consider buying a flat ever, service charges etc could leave her struggling. Much better I think at her age to rent.

Emmzi

I tthink OP has been very clear. Mum sold her own place, and still has the money from it, when she moved in with her new husband. She still has her assets, husband has left his to his familym she can leave hers as she wishes. There is no need to contest anything, no one is doing over anyone!

Mojisola

Emmzi wrote: »

I tthink OP has been very clear. Mum sold her own place, and still has the money from it, when she moved in with her new husband. She still has her assets, husband has left his to his familym she can leave hers as she wishes. There is no need to contest anything, no one is doing over anyone!

Even in this situation, it's normal for the surviving spouse to have the right to continue to live in the couple's home and for the estate to be distributed after the second death.

Errata

OP - I'd suggest your mum has a chat with her local housing dept. It seems the will is kosher, and that means the executors can evict her. As a 78 year old threatened with eviction she'll jump to the head of the list for a retirement property, which gives her security of tenure and leaves her money in the bank to give her a good lifestyle.