Thieving brother - WWYD?

[chaiselonguer]

Hi,
I generally get in with my brother - he's a decent guy and has been through some issues etc. He currently lives with our mum following his divorce. I have just discovered that he has borrowed some money from mum's account without asking - £350. He paid it back in two weeks later.

For context, we both have power of attorney over mum's money and health although this hasn't kicked in yet as she is still in sound mind. She is vulnerable though and relies on brother for most things including managing her bills etc. She has lent him money before and has always said that we can borrow from her - she has quite a lot of savings.

On this occasion he needed to pay a £350 bill quite urgently so used mum's money and then transferred it back in back in when he was paid two weeks later. I can see that there are no other transactions that worry me. He said he didn't tell mum as he knew she wouldn't mind and it was only ever a short term thing.

I feel angry at him but dh thinks I am overreacting and that there's no harm done - WWYD? Do I speak to mum?

I'd definitely speak to him about it because he may become reliant on dipping mums money or if unchallenged get sticky fingers and it does happen.

I’d frame it as eg ‘we can both see DM bank accounts and I see you used a short term loan last month. It’s really important we have transparency and rules of the road given our joint POA. Let’s agree on gifts/borrowing/mums cost policies etc etc’

I don’t think it’s a huge deal - it’s an opportunity for a conversation.