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Elderly parents

Struggling with MIL assumptions

57 replies

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:12

My lovely FIL died 18 months ago. MiL struggled hugely after caring for him for 2 years with no family nearby. After he died she asked if she could move nearer to us.. he had wanted her to so that was a big part in it..200 miles from where she had lived her whole life.. we gladly said yes. I get on with her and we have similar values hobbies etc.. we wanted to give her the support but with some worries about moving her away from her friends. To make it work financially we had to go in with our savings to make up the difference on a new place and also do it up as our area is more expensive than hers. In spite of her really trying it has been hard so much harder than i thought.. I think she thinks we are much better off than we are and DH is so generous hes just got in the habit of paying for her everywhere we go and taking her on holiday with us. Its getting to me.. the house has been hard work for a woman in her 80s so even though we are spending a fortune she is missing her old home, friends, town and is emotionally flat alot of the time. I have very little time with DH now hes either doing DIY or she's with us because shes lonely. To be fair she has joined a couple of groups so she is trying. I dont want to feel resentful... she lost her husband and dealing with a massive change but im starting to fester about the time, our massively depleting savings (everything has to be done ASAP! ) and general assumption that its her son's role now to do what her husband did and looking after her .. we didnt realise how much he did ! how do I manage it and move on ??

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Passingthrough123 · 03/03/2026 08:19

Thank goodness you have your own property separate to theirs. But yes, you need legal advice because he's using your joint earnings to fund his MIL and that's not on.

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 08:16

TreatyPie · 03/03/2026 07:29

How have you allowed two non working people to purchase a house in their names woth your money?

The house purchase is all theirs as i have my own house owned just by me he has no claim on but contributes to... We are using savings for repairs but you are right. Im being naive and we need to address the legal stuff

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sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 08:08

Passingthrough123 · 03/03/2026 07:36

Their names?! Not yours as well?

You're the main earner financing most of this and you've let them take ownership of the new house?

Why on earth would you agree to this?

Please tell me there's not a sibling in the background too ready to claim half as their inheritance.

No just him.. our house in my name only.. we are not married

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thedevilinablackdress · 03/03/2026 07:57

What is her source of income? This is worth looking into (if not already done) and she has any health conditions. You can certainly demotthe 'needs support with' parts by the sound of it.
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

But yes, agree with others that a discussion is needed pronto.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you're State Pension age and disabled: rates, eligibility, claim form AA1, claiming due to a terminal illness.

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

ZenNudist · 03/03/2026 07:56

This is crazy. Why is mil not funding her own life?

Owly11 · 03/03/2026 07:48

What am I reading? Have I understood correctly that your mil and dh have jointly bought a house for her to live in using your mil's money and your money, but you do not have any ownership of the house and your dh is now paying with 'joint' money for everything for your mil? Is the house owned as joint tenants or tenants in common and does your dh have any siblings? And what does mil's will say? You need to get some legal advice about this - but in essence, the house should be owned by you (or you and dh) and mil as tenants in common so that your investment is preserved when mil dies and/or if you ever get divorced. I would also say to dh that you do not agree to him spending your joint savings on funding mil as you can't afford it.

Iamnofool · 03/03/2026 07:41

Surely she has enough money to pay her way eg meals out together?
A total rethink is needed here. I would not be happy at the way money is being used to support his mother.

Passingthrough123 · 03/03/2026 07:36

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

House in their joint names

Their names?! Not yours as well?

You're the main earner financing most of this and you've let them take ownership of the new house?

Why on earth would you agree to this?

Please tell me there's not a sibling in the background too ready to claim half as their inheritance.

EvangelineTheNightStar · 03/03/2026 07:34

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

House in their joint names

Yet you provided the majority of funds? Whose idea was that?

Carriemac · 03/03/2026 07:34

This is an insane set up OP

ForAmusedHazelQuoter · 03/03/2026 07:32

I would stop all family money being spent on the MIL, I would also look into her selling the flat and getting the money you put in out and her renting.
How much did you put into the new home and why is it in their names?
You also need clear boundaries so you get time for yourself and with your DH and also no more paying for her holidays.
Your DH can help her during the week
but you want weekends together or whatever works for you.
No more DH being generous with family money.
You need to firm up and tell him this.

Dearg · 03/03/2026 07:29

It’s nice that you have been so kind to your MIL, but tge draining of your finances needs to stop.

DH & I were on a similar path when FIL died. I explained that if that was his wish, we had to reorganise our own finances so that he, and only he , was supporting her, while he also paid his share of our expenses. No way was I working all hours while MIL enjoyed the fruits ( although I really did not like her)

Anyway, you get my point. Do the sums. Lay it out for him. He is massively taking advantage of you.

TreatyPie · 03/03/2026 07:29

How have you allowed two non working people to purchase a house in their names woth your money?

simpledeer · 03/03/2026 07:28

Is DH an only child?

somanychristmaslights · 03/03/2026 07:22

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

House in their joint names

As in you DH and mil? So what protects you then as it’s your money too????

BetteDavisChin · 03/03/2026 07:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

BetteDavisChin · 03/03/2026 07:05

It's reasonable enough that she has moved to be closer to you and DH. Also reasonable that he is helping out with diy to make her home comfortable.

I would definitely be reigning in/stopping the spending of your family money on improvements.

It's great that she is joining groups and hopefully making new friends so that she won't be totally reliant on you and DH for companionship.

My DF moved in to our annexe aged 72 - he's now 90, so 18 years. It has just about broken mine and DH relationship that it has gone on for so long.

You could be in for the long haul.

TheGPThatWearsShorts · 03/03/2026 06:57

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:55

He has a chronic condition which means he works flexibly for himself

Okay but if he's well enough to spend most of his time doing DIY..

Youre being taken advantage of here OP. Massively so.

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:56

butterfly990 · 03/03/2026 06:49

Whose name is the house in? If she needs to go into care the house will be sold to find it.

Have a look at the Safeguarding Futures Health and Social Care Support Facebook group. It is run by a couple who give Financial planning advise but is also giving general practical advise.

House in their joint names

OP posts:
sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:55

He has a chronic condition which means he works flexibly for himself

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TheGPThatWearsShorts · 03/03/2026 06:53

He works part time due to health reasons but spends most of his time doing DIY for this mum?

butterfly990 · 03/03/2026 06:49

Whose name is the house in? If she needs to go into care the house will be sold to find it.

Have a look at the Safeguarding Futures Health and Social Care Support Facebook group. It is run by a couple who give Financial planning advise but is also giving general practical advise.

olympicsrock · 03/03/2026 06:48

Time for a conversation with you about how much financial support you provide her with.

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:46

sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:44

Also she wasnt eligible for the limited sheltered housing which would have been our first choice

Sorry meant to say I agree we needed to discuss more.. I've told him this is it now.. everything else needs to wait.. our own house needs things doing to it !

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sunintheeast · 03/03/2026 06:44

HygerTyger · 03/03/2026 06:43

Agree. I wouldn't like this at all. you need to communicate with him and he needs to be more respectful of family money

Also she wasnt eligible for the limited sheltered housing which would have been our first choice

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