Witnessed a will payment dilemma

[justasking111]

Husband was asked to witness a neighbour will as was another neighbour.

Neighbour had a solicitor draw it up, signed it then passed it to another neighbour then my husband to sign. He did this, other neighbour signatory then said that the will neighbour had given them some money as a thank you. Husband said no you keep it. Neighbour said thanks they'll buy a bottle of wine. Well it turns out that the elderly neighbour gave £200 as a thank you.

We're in a quandary now because husband didn't witness the elderly neighbour signing, nor did he take any money for signing as a witness.

The neighbour who told us about the payment is a recipient in the will so no reason to doubt her.

Could we be in trouble. I ask this because the person whose will it is has disinherited a child because he's been caught emptying accounts of hers.

Would he have grounds to drag us into this mess if he finds out he's getting nothing?

It's not weird to ask someone you don't know well to be a witness. I once witnessed a complete stranger's will.

I’ve seen your update that your DH has told you to butt out. But my concern is - how do you know the neighbour is has disinherited his son? Was it the carer who told you that? Are they trying to change the will in their favour.

The elderly neighbour didn't ask him to be a witness thought, it was third hand, that is not normal.

How thick is your husband?! I mean the clue is in the name! Witness 😂
How does he get by in everyday life?! Jeez!

Yes, but the issue is that he didn't actually witness it, not that the testator is unknown to him.

OP, this article may be of interest to you - these witnesses have been embroiled in a court case https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/amp/5-million-estate-battle-lymington-man-accused-of-being-a-9359358/

Your husband is an idiot . Honestly. He could be in deep water let alone the moral implications.

I agree it's probably fraud. But maybe not.
My point was that even in the best case scenario (of it not being fraud), it is still a clustermess that needs to be addressed. By the OP if her DH won't.

You can't witness a will for someone you have never met. Has he ever stood in the same room as this woman?

She may never have even seen the will let alone signed it herself.

@justasking111 Regardless of what your Husband has said and everything else regarding the Will and the circumstances you have outlined, I would be (and am as a complete Stranger) extremely worried for the welfare of this Lady 😔

You don’t hand out £200 if you aren’t aware you are asking someone to do something wrong. If the elderly neighbour had the capacity to sign in front of someone, they would have done it like that. They are handing out cash because she can’t. It won’t be as easy to solve as printing off another copy.
I would contact social services if I were you.

Yes. The more I think about this, the more I think that you should contact Adult Social Care.

It's looking more and now more like these vulnerable people are being financially abused.

It is very worrying. What OP's husband has done is a moot point in a way as the real issue is the potential abuse.

OP, please report to someone. I am sure you can do it anonymously. If nothing is wrong, then no harm done. If something is wrong, then you will have stopped the abuse of vulnerable people.

You're wasting your breath I'm afraid.

Unlike most people on this thread, OP gives zero fucks about this elderly woman's welfare.

I am new here I will admit, but what happened to common decency, concern for others, wanting to stop something potentially awful happening to an old and vulnerable person. Every time I look at this thread it is making me feel physically ill worrying about what may be going on. I wouldn't give a second thought to getting into trouble, or what my Husband thought, I would involve the Authorities SS or Police and suck up any come back. Come on @justasking111 look deep into your heart and do what's right.

I agree.

If this is real, then it sickens me that @justasking111 won’t do anything

Yes, me too. Surprised it has lasted so long to get honest.

This has got fraud and elder abuse written all over it.

I agree porridgecake and this is how people get away with it- by other people doing nothing, even when there are warning signs. It is chilling.

He doesn’t sound very nice to you @justasking111. I’m guessing there are other issues with how he treats you. Are you ok?