Elderly stepchild

Morglin

I would take Dad to a solicitor to establish what rights he has, how the house is owned, and his advice about how to proceed.

Meanwhile, keep the pressure up on social services - they have a duty of care towards your dad, as well as your mum.

Good luck

Lin

neneromanova

Try ringing Age UK for some advice


https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/

Newly_retired

Don’t waste money on a solicitor until you know how the house is owned, joint tenants or tenants-in-common. This is key information to find out first.

plantsandflowers

Back again. Been waiting for things to happen. Social services paid mum a visit. I went with them but was kicked out by mum because I called my sister a liar. S.S said no imminent danger. Coming to see dad next week but don't hold out much hope. Dad resigned himself to the fact that after 55 years his marriage is over. So what next. A divorce at 80 years old? He will need to reluctantly ask for the house to be sold. 50 50 split. I known there is no way mum will agree. Or rather sister and mum will agree. Why would they? They are in the house. Its a big mess. He still cannot access his money from the frozen account. Mum denies he left 4000 in the house. She told S.S he took it with him (he didn't) so god knows where that is or if she is lying. I suspect the latter. Is it time for solicitor's to get involved? How can he even pay them. Imagine what it's going to cost. The house is a joint tenancy. Any thoughts what he can do next?

Starchaser

Hi plantsandflowers,

I can't offer any practical advice but wanted to wish you and your family well, and hope that someone may be able to help at this point.

Your sister sounds a bit like an old neighbour of mine. She never moved out of home until well after her parents died when she was around 40, stopped working shortly after (she was registered disabled but I feel she may have been able to do some work if she tried, she was able enough). When she eventually moved, she went into a local retirement home in her early 50s.

Neighbour was never diagnosed with any mental illnesses (that I know of) but she had certain... quirks. She had several fallings-out with long-standing family friends, possibly family as well. Word is that she's been causing problems in her new area. Though she was always nice to me, to be fair.


Not quite the same, but if your sister is like my old neighbour I can understand how difficult it might be to get through to her.

plantsandflowers

Impossible to get through to her. My dad has decided to take his name off all utility bills but he's concerned that this might be a bad move legally. But why should he continue to pay all the bills when he can't even access his own money from the frozen bank account? The problem is,the red reminder letters will all be in his name while my mum and sister sit in the house using the gas water electric, phone. Internet etc. They even had the cheek to send via taxi a house insurance renewal letter. Crazy. The insurance payments come out of the frozen account. So even if he wanted to continue to pay it, he couldn't. The whole thing is bonkers.

System

How is his pension being paid? Hope its not into the joint account.

plantsandflowers

Pension is going into joint account. He needs to get it paid into his own (new) account. Unfortunately his policy documents are at the house. Getting them isn't going to be easy.

System

Have you contacted age concern? They may be of help.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

badmemory

Hopefully as the account is frozen it will not accept payments in. If the payment bounces back they may well write to him & if "they" think there is something in it for them he may get the letter passed on.