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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For thinking my brother and his wife trying to take my Dad's house?

243 replies

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 10:47

My Dad has left his house to my brother and his wife in his will (bone of contention in the family as my Dad already gave my brother the family business and then my brother sold it, making millions of pounds, despite my Dad not wanting this to happen. My Dad was still involved in the business and used to pop in during the day, albeit not as an owner once he gave it to my brother). My Dad is a very fit and healthy 81 year old and I hope he has many years left in his home. He loves his garden and cutting his lawn and takes great pride in the house.

My brother and his wife have announced to me that they want to get an architect into my Dad's house to start drawing up house plans as they "have lots of ideas" about what they want to do with it once they get their hands on it.

I feel that they are just wanting my Dad to die!

One of their children, their 16 year old daughter, was staying with Dad last week while my brother and his wife were on holidays and this niece posted a scathing Snapchat video about my Dad about "how bad he is at cooking" and how she "had to throw her dinner into the bushes beside the patio when he wasn't looking"..all the way through laughing her head off, basically making out like my Dad is some senile imbecile. I feel like my brother and his wife are speaking ill about my Dad behind his back. My Dad isn't senile at all and is very capable and kind.

When I asked my brother why he has to bring in an architect into my Dad's house to basically plan for when my Dad is deceased, he got a bit huffy with me. I asked him why he can't just leave Dad alone and has to be doing this to him. Then he told me he's thinking of buying a small bungalow that's for sale nearby anyway. Now I am afraid he's going to try and take my Dad's house and put my Dad into the little bungalow. I always thought my Dad would be able to live in his house til the rest of his days.

My brother and his wife have a lovely house near my Dad's and millions in the bank, so I don't know what the fixation is on taking my Dad's house (Dad's house is beautiful BTW) when they could just build or buy one equally nice.

I feel that my brother and my sister in law are having no regard for my Dad, are waiting for him to die and are either going to try push him into a home or into the small bungalow they're about to buy down the road.

AIBU in being so upset about this?

OP posts:
Redpeach · 20/05/2025 11:54

Your neice sounds vile, i'd be sending the video to her parents, as well as a cookery book for teens

Peachy2005 · 20/05/2025 11:51

This is disgusting. If he has no wider sensible friends or family you could get to have a talk with him, I would have one conversation with your dad raising the topic of financial abuse (past and future) and advising him to get impartial legal advice to protect himself from being forced out of his own house. Then I would tell him I can’t watch him making bad decisions and being treated this way (being made fun of online is repulsive!!) and will be keeping my distance to protect my own peace of mind. Then do that 💐

MissMoneyFairy · 20/05/2025 11:51

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:40

He got £300k but he was in so fit state to sign anything. Constantly upset about it and trying to manage while my mother was in hospice care.

Then his solicitor, accountant and bank should have intervened at the time, if he was and is being coerced and is vulnerable you can report your brother for financial and emotional abuse, knowing that he was in no fit state to sign over a business while his wife was dying then I'm surprised and disappointed that he's agreed to give the house away too, does he not feel he is being manipulated. I'd just step away.

Snorlaxo · 20/05/2025 11:50

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:43

You have hit the nail on the head. My brother doesn't work anymore and lives off the millions. He always complains he is "so busy" though, which makes me laugh. My father wanted me to do all of his flower pots around the house (like about 50 of them) and I work full time. I can't understand why my brother and his wife won't do them!

You think that favourite child was asked ? 😂

Your parents see it as your responsibility as your brother is “so busy”

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:50

norma1980 · 20/05/2025 11:47

OP you have a great attitude and you're handling this incredibly well. This could have the effect of chewing people up and causing huge resentments but you're not letting it.

I'd be massively hurt if my parents did this to me especially if you have your own children.

If there is no scope to change the result I would step back and just let it be. It has really nothing to do with you.

The one positive out of all of this is that I would never do this to my own two children and I have my will 50% down the line for each of them. I would never want either of them to feel the way I do, so I am taking this as a learning experience. Thanks

OP posts:
ApiratesaysYarrr · 20/05/2025 11:49

arcticpandas · 20/05/2025 11:32

He is a good person? No, he isn't or he would treat you fairly and not give everything to your brother. I don't feel sorry for him at all, he has chosen the family he prefers so let them take advantage of him (unless he's senile ofcourse).

Absolutely this. I can understand that it's very hard to untangle love for a family member from actions that are hurtful, but this is someone who is too weak to treat his kids fairly.

PussInBin20 · 20/05/2025 11:49

Well if you can’t speak to your DF about it, then there is nothing you can do. 🤷‍♀️

BestDIL · 20/05/2025 11:49

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:26

It would upset him. I don't want to upset him.

In that case, you have no grounds for objecting to your brother doing all this. I'm amazed that you still have love for your father when it sounds like you are not the favourite child and are going to get nothing!

If this happened in my family, I'm not sure I could get over it.

IveGotAnUnusuallyLargePelvisISwear · 20/05/2025 11:49

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:43

You have hit the nail on the head. My brother doesn't work anymore and lives off the millions. He always complains he is "so busy" though, which makes me laugh. My father wanted me to do all of his flower pots around the house (like about 50 of them) and I work full time. I can't understand why my brother and his wife won't do them!

Why would they when muggins (you) will do whatever your told to do?

norma1980 · 20/05/2025 11:47

OP you have a great attitude and you're handling this incredibly well. This could have the effect of chewing people up and causing huge resentments but you're not letting it.

I'd be massively hurt if my parents did this to me especially if you have your own children.

If there is no scope to change the result I would step back and just let it be. It has really nothing to do with you.

Fargo79 · 20/05/2025 11:47

They all sound absolutely dreadful and I'd just let them all get on with it. Your father has made his bed.

Your parents have treated you abominably in favouring your brother the way they have. You are wasting your emotions and efforts on people who don't feel any concern for you in return.

My honest advice would be to seek some really good quality therapy, to detach from your father and brother beyond very superficial pleasantries (if you feel you want to stay in contact at all) and then just focus all your energy on your own family where you can have positive influence and hopefully you are valued and treasured.

Ownyourchoices · 20/05/2025 11:46

I understand your feelings but our parents are horrible. They basically have completely favoured your brother who is so entitled he doesn't even see how greedy he is and how unfair this is. I know feelings with parents can be complicated but please get some therapy and me, I'd see a lawyer. Fuck them.

I HATE behaviour like this.

Your parents and brother don't deserve your love. I don't care if your mother is dead - she was a bitch to you and did the full golden child thing with your brother.

Go LC and concentrate on those who do value you.

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:44

Naunet · 20/05/2025 11:42

Good God OP, find your back bone. Your parents have both treated you terribly, they're deeply misogynistic, and you don't want to upset HIM? Not only that but then you're hand wringing about your brothers entitlement - they raised him to be entitled, your father can now accept the consequences of that, it's not down to you to save him from his own awful parenting.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm heart broken for you, this is such a disgusting way from them to have treated you. X

Thanks, yes, I do need to grow a back bone.

OP posts:
SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:43

Snorlaxo · 20/05/2025 11:41

If you’re not going to talk to your dad then your only choice is to step back and let your brother’s plans happen. You need to detach and accept that your parents chose your brother over you and know what he’s like yet won’t change their plans. Yes, they will probably move your dad out, do up the house and sell/rent it out but they are clearly ok with their favourite child doing that.

You can’t expect people who have never gone against your brother to do it now. You should be emotionally protecting yourself and repeating the mantra that they chose this path and detach even though deep down you know that their favouritism is unfair.

Very good advice. Thanks

OP posts:
SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:43

Blackdow · 20/05/2025 11:36

Well then, fundamentally he isn’t a good parent. So he isn’t worth worrying about. If he gets moved into a bungalow then so be it.
As long as he isn’t properly neglected then don’t get involved. He has shown no care or concern for you or your children when it comes to finances, so don’t so him any.

Sounds like your parents just wanted a boy, they got a boy so he gets everything. You’re the girl… not worth as much. Stop worrying about him when it comes to his finances or his housing. He won’t be homeless.

And don’t give up time with your kids or take days off work to care for him if he becomes unwell in his old age. Your brother can do that. He doesn’t care about you so take a step back.

I know money isn’t everything, but it’s not about the money. It’s about what the money shows; at the end of the day, he isn’t concerned about you and doesn’t care about treating you equally to the man child.

You have hit the nail on the head. My brother doesn't work anymore and lives off the millions. He always complains he is "so busy" though, which makes me laugh. My father wanted me to do all of his flower pots around the house (like about 50 of them) and I work full time. I can't understand why my brother and his wife won't do them!

OP posts:
Naunet · 20/05/2025 11:42

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:26

It would upset him. I don't want to upset him.

Good God OP, find your back bone. Your parents have both treated you terribly, they're deeply misogynistic, and you don't want to upset HIM? Not only that but then you're hand wringing about your brothers entitlement - they raised him to be entitled, your father can now accept the consequences of that, it's not down to you to save him from his own awful parenting.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm heart broken for you, this is such a disgusting way from them to have treated you. X

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:41

OneOliveZebra · 20/05/2025 11:35

What are you getting? Left to you in the will

I guess whatever is left out of half of £300k once my dad has expended nursing care etc in his old age. My brother gets half the £300k too.

OP posts:
Snorlaxo · 20/05/2025 11:41

If you’re not going to talk to your dad then your only choice is to step back and let your brother’s plans happen. You need to detach and accept that your parents chose your brother over you and know what he’s like yet won’t change their plans. Yes, they will probably move your dad out, do up the house and sell/rent it out but they are clearly ok with their favourite child doing that.

You can’t expect people who have never gone against your brother to do it now. You should be emotionally protecting yourself and repeating the mantra that they chose this path and detach even though deep down you know that their favouritism is unfair.

SheilaFentiman · 20/05/2025 11:41

MissMoneyFairy · 20/05/2025 11:35

Not sure how the business could be sold if your sad was a shareholder and he didn't receive any proceeds, did he engage a solicitor.

This. If Dad held any shares in the business still, he should have received some proceeds (and if he gifted shares to DBro rather than sold them at fair value, it's likely that there's a tax implication for DBro)

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:40

Ankther · 20/05/2025 11:35

It doesn’t matter that it was your mother’s wish - a good father would know that it was morally wrong to disinherit his daughter and wouldn’t go along with it. He sounds like a very weak man.

Yes he is weak and my mother had a huge hold over him.

OP posts:
SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:40

MissMoneyFairy · 20/05/2025 11:35

Not sure how the business could be sold if your sad was a shareholder and he didn't receive any proceeds, did he engage a solicitor.

He got £300k but he was in so fit state to sign anything. Constantly upset about it and trying to manage while my mother was in hospice care.

OP posts:
SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:39

OneQuirkyPanda · 20/05/2025 11:29

You sound very very passive, your parents have disinherited you with no explanation what so ever, you don’t even seem to have asked them why? I don’t understand why you would care what happens to the house when you’ve been treated this way.

I don't care about the house. I care about my Dad and his wellbeing and him being potentially ousted out of the house. Architects coming in while he is still alive and well, which basically says, "Can't wait for you to die so I can do the house up the way I like it."

OP posts:
Blackdow · 20/05/2025 11:36

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:31

Yes, I know. My Dad is hard to talk to..will get very upset and won't change the outcome.

Well then, fundamentally he isn’t a good parent. So he isn’t worth worrying about. If he gets moved into a bungalow then so be it.
As long as he isn’t properly neglected then don’t get involved. He has shown no care or concern for you or your children when it comes to finances, so don’t so him any.

Sounds like your parents just wanted a boy, they got a boy so he gets everything. You’re the girl… not worth as much. Stop worrying about him when it comes to his finances or his housing. He won’t be homeless.

And don’t give up time with your kids or take days off work to care for him if he becomes unwell in his old age. Your brother can do that. He doesn’t care about you so take a step back.

I know money isn’t everything, but it’s not about the money. It’s about what the money shows; at the end of the day, he isn’t concerned about you and doesn’t care about treating you equally to the man child.

OneOliveZebra · 20/05/2025 11:35

What are you getting? Left to you in the will

Ankther · 20/05/2025 11:35

SadANDupsetGirl · 20/05/2025 11:31

It was more my mother's wish to leave the house to my brother. My Dad made the mistake in giving my brother a controlling share in the business and he sold it against my Dad's will and pocketed all the proceeds. My Dad doesn't want to go against my mother's wish for the house. The sale of the business happened when my mother was dying.

It doesn’t matter that it was your mother’s wish - a good father would know that it was morally wrong to disinherit his daughter and wouldn’t go along with it. He sounds like a very weak man.

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