stealing from an elderly parent

tightrs

basically i have suspicions that my aunt is taking money out of my confused grandmas bank account, as she controls her bank account and all financial matters .
grandma never has any money but does not actually spend any money other than give money to aunties druggie son and girlfriend .
she has private pension going into bank account that should never have been touched which over the past ten years should have realised 70k but auntie says she has £5000.i would not like to get police involved yet as this would upset grandma but if anything ever happens to grandma i would like to see her pay for her crimes.
where does my father stand with this as aunt seems to be spending his inheritance, any advice appreciated

tightrs

she lives in her own bungalow all bought and paid for, and she would not agee to or deny anything as she would not want to get my aunt into trouble.

Ellidee

I wonder has the aunt got Power of Attorney- it may be relevant ?

tightrs

Ellidee wrote: »

I wonder has the aunt got Power of Attorney- it may be relevant ?

i dont believe so ,but how would you get this ?
she has just looked after her financial afffairs for the last 10 years or so because grandad always did this and when he died , grandma had never had a bank account etc in her own name and was unsure what to do.

Ellidee

Hmm I've not got any legal knowledge but perhaps you and your Dad could make an appointment at the Citizens Advice Bureau with someone who might be able to help.

Errata

Speak to the social services team for older people if you're worried. They will be able to guide and advise, and if they feel your suspicions need investigating under procedures for abuse of the elderly will give your gran the support she needs.

Shona_3

Errata is right, speak to your local social work dept, ask for duty social worker for the elderly team (assuming she doesn't have a social worker already) and tell them your concerns. Shona

smudger1946

go to Age Concern m8, there good

vivatifosi

Mmmm.... may not be power of attorney, may be something as simple as your Nan trusting her daughter to get money out of the account for her (not strictly legit handing a card and pin number to somebody else, but if you're housebound or ill you may not have much choice), then the 'druggy son' getting his hand on the card and pin without the mum knowing. It may also be the case that the Mum has lent the daughter the card and pin to overcome some hardships and the daughter has been somewhat more liberal with the money than the Mum intended. I've seen both situations happen to people close to me and it is not that unusual.

You could ask your nan if she wants you to come with her to collect her pension, or get money, that may lead her into telling you who has access.

The other thing to bear in mind is that it is still your Nan's money, not yet your Dad's inheritance. At the end of the day if she has her marbles in place and there's no power of attorney in place, its up to her who she gives it to.

minot

Dodgy financial dealings count as elder abuse so contact Help the Aged for advice.

There's also a new law come into effect October this year I think, it's the Mental Capacity Act. Don't know that much about it but you'll find stuff if you google it.

Biggles

There's advice on the Public Guardian's website about 'what to do if you suspect abuse' (of a vulnerable adult).
http://www.publicguardian.gov.uk/concerns/suspect-abuse.htm