I am one of 4 sisters. Divorced parents and Dad subsequently died. Two sisters live overseas. Me and one other in the UK. Mum is an alcoholic and is now pretty housebound with various mobility issues, possible pending cancer diagnosis. She is terrible with money but lives in her own flat which she inherited from her parents. Sister S is getting divorced in Hong Kong and returning to the UK in the next month. Very messy divorce and she is bringing her children back to the UK. She has had, until recently, a lot of money (think Hedge Fund type money). Her husband is a lawyer but does not work as one and is currently unemployed, but with cash reserves.
Some years ago, Sister S lent / gave my mother a large sum of money to settle debts. She also paid for some renovations. My mother gave permission (limited power of attorney) for Sister S to deal with debts and financial affairs. Sister S laid out a sum of about £20k, some of which was, arguably, gifts. Some clearly payment of debts.
Sister S is a foul bitch which means that she cannot be reasoned with or anything. (Relevant).
She has demanded, as part of her divorce settlement, immediate repayment of all the money my Mum owes her. Mum has just a state pension, some other benefits and her flat. Sister S says the money is part of her settlement and it is to feed her children. No one disputes that my Mum owes this money although there is no legal agreement that it was a loan. There turns out to be a spreadsheet of every tiny cost, some things are just ridiculous (tiny items that would usually be gifts).
Sister S is returning to the UK and putting all her children into private school and has no plans to work.
My mother, terrified that Sister S was going to take her flat, immediately revoked the power of attorney and, in doing so, named DH and Sister J's DH (UK based) as "people she could turn to for advice."
Sister S is now repeatedly demanding DH's e-mail address, mobile number etc to "pass on to her lawyers" and to "give to the Hong Kong courts". She could easily get in touch with me/him but has refused to have any contact for some time now, although still sends really evil and unpleasant e-mails and demands.
Is she just lashing out? Do the HK courts have any jurisdiction over my mother? Can they demand the sale of her flat? Would the UK courts allow this? Can the HK courts demand anything of DH. He has agreed to nothing, signed nothing but was just named as someone my Mother (alcoholic, confused) said she could turn to for advice.
Sorry - really, really long but not sure what is / is not relevant.
There are huge underlying personal issues here and a lot of pain. However, I want to be reassured that DH will not become a target of some lawyers, a rich ex-husband or my sister when she returns to the UK.
Thanks so much
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.
Legal matters
Complicated and probably worrying over nothing but....
12 replies
Roseformeplease · 23/06/2015 10:10
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.