to think we should inherite larger share of MiL property?

[Jellybeanz1]

I have been caring for my very nice but sometimes difficult MIL for 3 years in her large country house. I left my job p/t teacher and we sold our small London house to move in. Over the last 3 years we have done substantial work to the house let alone a ridiculous amount of de cluttering from 2 generations of hoarders living there (not kidding couldn't get into 3 rooms). My dh has to stay away 3 nights a week commuting to his old job. We have also prevented the house being sold for nursing home fees (she has dementia and is incontinent).
So when we just had the house valued to see what our options might be for the future I was very disappointed to hear my dh say half would go to the brother. He hasn't helped out at all and we lost money on our house in London as prices have returned to 7% increase. MiL's property is now worth more now as prices are picking up and all the work and effort we have put into it. I have just had argument with dh as I don't feel he is valuing my efforts and also depriving the children of their inheritance.
Aibu and greedy or should we/I be compensated. I have looked for a nice teaching job here but cant find one (2 interviews). I feel like I don't want to carry on with the loneliness, the burden of caring and managing this large house and garden( on my own most of the time ) if it wasn't to improve our financial position. After all the brother i L. is not spending all his time doing up the house and not being able to get away and is actually financially well off. I'm also worried I've messed up my career.

[HesterShaw]

Jellybeanz I think you have been enormously restrained and dignified in the face of some real cuntishness on this thread. Good luck to you x

[Jellybeanz1]

Thanks every one, I'm off to bed as she usually wakes me a couple of times. I'll just let it unfold. I feel more chilled now. Maybe I just needed to talk and dh wasn't. In fact I've bored myself now so definitely time to sign off before I bore you all any more.

[YeahWhat]

I feel like I don't want to carry on with the loneliness, the burden of caring and managing this large house and garden( on my own most of the time ) if it wasn't to improve our financial position

Does your DH know this?

[Mimishimi]

YABU. You sound grasping. She can leave what she damn well wants to whoever she wants. Why did you leave your job to take care of her? Go back to work and let her hire a nurse if needs must.

[LolaCrayola]

I can't believe some of the nasty responses here. The OP hardly lives rent free, she has given up her home and career to care for her MIL, who otherwise I presume she would be in a care home and the BIL would get nothing. Sadly, when someone has dementia you have already lost them. Why shouldn't the OP safeguard her future? I am sure if the MIL didn't have dementia it would be what she wanted too.

[Fairy1303]

Jellybeanz - what level is her dementia at? Does she wander? Would she need carers at night or just in and out during the day? Is there any telecare in situ? Lifeline/alarm on door etc?

If she has no money in savings and wants to remain at home, but you don't like the idea of different carers in and out, it might be worth speaking to her sw about third party direct payments. This is a sum, worked out based on the cost of a carer a the level MIL needs, so you can pay someone private (and regular!) to help.

DP are usually paid directly to the person but if MIL lacks the menal capacity for her finances then you will need third party.

That may be a good option for you. Not care home, but not a care agency with different people n and out either. If you need any help pm me, I am a sw.

Where are you based?

[CPtart]

If its going to be"the brothers decision" whether she stays at home then let them do the caring.
You get back to work. You said yourself DH is low paid.

[Fairy1303]

OP it may also be worth speaking to princess royal trust for carers. They offer great support.

Are you getting carers allowance?

[TiredDog]

Jelly. I think you are voicing what many people briefly think. My mum often talks to me about 'my inheritance'. She has dementia and if my Dad dies I will need to make some decisions fast. Do I carry on working or give up and use 'her money' to finance me being her carer? That would mean incorporating it into my property (extend to house her)

Will my siblings be ok with that...

I don't have the choice to do it without settling the finances before I left work...I'd still be 'expecting' (need) some financial recompense to ditch my career to care.

However... I think a financial split would depend on what was agreed prior to your decision (nothing?) in which case you can't expect anything unless rest of the family choose to acknowledge your work in caring for their parent

[Saminthemiddle]

I read this thread with interest OP as just had a similar conversation with a close friend. I stopped reading other poster's comments when they became abusive - I don't see how people saying can say such things when they don't have the full story.

Firstly, I think you are a saint, a very caring person to look after your MIL with dementia, especially after the biscuit tin incident. I am sure there are loads of other incidents but it seems like you just have to cope and carry on as you are caring for her on your own. It sounds as if both your DH and BIL have buried their heads in the sand and don't want to make a decision so you are going to have to become very strong and have a plan to make things change.

I hope you are claiming carers allowance and this is going in your pocket. Also, you will be entitled to help, check with your MIL's GP surgery.
It sounds as though you need to plan now as her dementia and care needs are only going to get worse.

Obviously I don't know how she is, but it seems the best way is to sell her house and take your share and use her share to put her in a nursing home, wherever that is, is your DH and BIL decision.
You need to get your life back on track for you and your DCs sake.

[Saminthemiddle]

sorry, meant I don't see how people can say such things....

[Sirzy]

Jelly if the burden of care is being left to you then it certainly isn't just the brothers decision what happens next, you have had the role of primary carer for 3 years and probably know better than them what her current health is like, this is unfortunatly only going to get worse over time so you need to speak up and say that you are not happy to continue and what you think should happen next. Make it clear that you will carry on supporting your MIL but you can no longer have such a large caring role. Thats not selfish, that is sensible.

[diddl]

But what if a time comes when you are not able to give her the care she needs, OP?

If MIL has dementia, is that likely to happen?

I see that your husband & BIL own half the house between them-but what does that mean if MIL needs to sell her half?

[Fishandjam]

jelly, you could try posting in the Elderly Parents board. You'd get good advice and some handholding, without abuse from fuckwits.

[Thymeout]

I think you need a neutral 3rd party to advise and mediate over this, e.g. the family solicitor?

There would be legal issues anyway if DH and BIL wanted to exercise their PA to sell the house, whether to pay carehome fees or to enable her to relocate with you. And, if you used her money to buy a bigger property so she could live with you, what would happen after she died? Would BIL have any right to inherit a share of MIL's money that is now tied up in your new home?

If a solicitor felt that there should be some recognition of your financial sacrifice over the last 3 years - I've no idea if he/she would - your BIL is likely to be more receptive than if the subject is broached by DH.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

I am not sure about this but there is something called a 'lifetime interest' in the house probably provided for mil by fils will when he left 1/4 each to his sons.

Op were you expecting that when you move you would get mils 1/2 to out towards any property - I understand your position but that does seem a bit unreasonable expectation. She can't agree for herself and if you take more then that is going against fils will. Also if she does have to go into a home anytime after buying jointly with you, you could still be done for deprivation of assets and end up in a terrible financial mess if SS want mils share of the jointly owned house.

You really need to get specialist legal/financial advice on all options before the family meeting.
but make it clear that YOU are not happy having given up work to be isolated from family and friends, and ask what the brothers will be doing regards care when you get a job. [cat among the pigeons type emoticon]

Personally my own solution would be for you to go back into well paid teaching and your dh to give up his badly paid job to care for your mother if he wants the money protected so badly. Work out what his travel and work accom is paying and see how much income he has left over after that. If its less than you could get teaching then he can pack in work.

Don't despair after 2 interviews- you got interviews, they didn't chuck your application in the bin! Perhaps you failed at interview because your heart was not really in it, what with not knowing who would pick up the slack re mil or how much support you would get with the kids etc.

[longingforsomesleep]

Do MNers really not speculate on potential inheritances? I love my 90 year old mum dearly but I can't help occasionally wondering what her house is worth. My PIL have also told us that they are skipping a generation and leaving everything to grandkids which, while the rational part of me thinks, it's their money, they can do what they want with it, I can't help feeling slightly peeved! Isn't that normal? Or am I vile, grasping, evil etc as well?

Jelly - I have only skimmed this thread but it seems to me that the most important person in this whole scenario is you. You talk about what your dh and his brother want and what is best for your MIL. I think you've done your bit and it's entirely reasonable now for you to want to reclaim your life and let them decide how THEY are going to look after THEIR mother or pay for her care.

Personally I think this must be putting your emotional and physical health under immense strain (which will have an impact on your dc) and a nursing home would be the best option.

[Loa]

If you want to move for a school by x date make that clear to your DH and his DB that is what is happening. Renting is an option you haven't mentioned but could be better if you can't access the money tied up in DH share of the house.

If you want to get back to work - tell them that is what is happening. Don't ask. Then tell them what this means in term of MIL care.

Don't ask for permission if that what you want to happen. Give them rough dates that things will be happening and when things need to be sorted by.

Both your DH and his Dbro have a vested interest in you continuing doing all the care and your DH has not be considering the impact financial and otherwise on you or protecting you.

Try and keep DH and you wanting access to his share of the house a separate issue to his mother care and possibly a different conversation not involving Dbrother till later. If they want MIL to move with you make sure you point out the financial implications of this and get legal advice.


You have your DC schooling and your career to consider and after 3 years you are right to start prioritizing these and getting your DH and his brother thinking about MIL care and future much more indepthly than just expecting you to sort it and cope.

[HesterShaw]

longing of course they all speculate about inheritances. But they won't admit it. They are too hypocritical saintly.

[fluffyraggies]

longing - Personally I think this must be putting your emotional and physical health under immense strain (which will have an impact on your dc) and a nursing home would be the best option.

I was going to say this

OP, the money is important, of course, (and i don't blame you for thinking ahead) but it sounds like the time has come for your DH to realise that the plan of you looking after his mum for as long as it takes (ie till she dies) and thereby saving the money tied up in the house, is no longer viable. It is having too much of a negative effect on you and family life to continue.

A person with dementia is on a road of deterioration, sadly. It's not like caring for someone who is simply physically impared - whos needs are quantifiable and predictable over the course of years. Dementia is not something you should be trying to cope with indefinately. Not the best for MIL or you. IMO now is the time to bring the subject of selling up, taking your quarter, using it as best you can, and letting the old lady go into quality care.

(whole other thread there re:quality care, i know)

[Loa]

I don't think there is any point speculating about inheritances - I assume that anything left with will be spent on care home fees - (have you seen how much they cost ?)if not that is nice.


It's not yours till its in your bank account so its daft to rely or plan a future on it till it is and its often used as an future carrot to make you take a course of action that may not be in your best interest.

[Cravey]

Jelly, inheritance aside, have you joined the dementia society. They really are helpful in terms of knowing what to do next. I think you say you have a social worker. Get onto them. You need some form of respite for yourself and mil. You also need to tell your dh that this isn't working for you. Ad maybe leave the talk of inheritance to the immediate family.

[Bearbehind]

It seems to me that the OP entered into this for entirely the wrong reasons (low paid DH wanted to 'protect his inheritance').

Whilst I don't doubt it is incredibly difficult caring for your MIL you should not expect to be financially rewarded for it.

It would serve your husband right if it were left to a cats home as it seems he has used you- I'd be completely pissed off with him in your situation.

[ModeratelyObvious]

I'm with Hester and CrapBag.

Op probably didn't know how wearing it would be,how long it would go on etc. And she is contemplating bringing MIL with them if they move, but is worried about the financial implications of doing that, extra bedroom on ground floor etc.

OP is a saint, in my view!