Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to tell potential BIL the truth.

248 replies

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 17/04/2016 22:02

Apologies in advance. To avoid drip-feeding this is going to be pretty long.

A few years ago, we found out that SIL had run herself into an epic amount of debt. The kind of amount that if you won it, you might even think about retiring. The details are pretty identifying so I can't go into them but it's enough to say that it was a combination of massive loans and burning through money that had been entrusted to her and she has literally nothing to show for any of it, ffs. Anyway, after she lost her house her DPs stepped forth and put another roof over her head. (I wouldn't have been so kind, but easier said when it's not your child.) All the while, they kept asking, "Have you told us about EVERYTHING you owe now?" and she kept swearing that she had, and then time and again, something new would come out from missed bills to unpaid bank loans. She is, by any standard, extremely secretive and would not have confessed to any of the debt had it not come out by accident, and she even tried to hide what she'd done via some ridiculously crap fraud that could have actually landed her in prison if the relative had wanted to go that far. In short, her finances are shot. If she does nothing but repay her debt for the rest of her life, she might finally clear it when she's seventy. She will never have a mortgage, she'll probably never get credit, and as far as her DPs are concerned, she can't have anything in her name for fear that it'll get frittered away, so she's effectively on permanent financial probation with them. (Again, not my choice of solution, but what can you do.)

Second factor: she's also a disaster with relationships. She either picks truly awful characters, or if she finds a semi-decent one, she goes so overboard with jealous control that she sends them running for the hills. None of her relationships make it past the two year mark and most die a gruesome death before six months. Finally, for good measure, she's increasingly desperate for babies (she has none so far), and time is moving on for her. Back to the present: A couple of months ago she started seeing someone new. He's a complete step-change from her past efforts - solvent, serious, quiet, hard-working, stable - in fact I'm kind of at a loss to figure out (a) why he isn't already taken and (b) what he sees in her. Whatever the case, DH and I think that if she has a shot of making a family happen with anyone, this guy would be a great option, BUT we don't think she's told him about her finances. She swears that she has, but knowing her character as I think I do, I wouldn't put it past her to have brushed it all off as "a little bit of money owed", if she's even said that much, and then rush to get pregnant, because, by her logic, he'd then be stuck with her. We're not sure what to do. Do we pull him to one side and make sure he really does have all the facts? Or do we stay out of it and let it all go however it's going to go? He's a nice guy and I think he deserves to know, but I'm also conscious that it's meddling in someone else's relationship and I'd be furious if someone did that to me. Then again, if she were a serial batterer, I wouldn't hesitate to tell him. I just don't know where the line is drawn here. Also, selfishly, if it all goes wrong and he leaves, it'll end up becoming our problem. She barely gets on with her DPs anymore - no surprise - and she can't even run her own household, so as a single mother there is simply no way she wouldn't end up crashing and burning.

In her favour, I want to say that she is a great auntie to our DCs - they bloody love her, and after a lot of failure and mess, I REALLY want her to finally have some stability and joy and a focus outside of herself in her life. I also think that with the right support around her - and maybe this guy could be it - she would probably grow into a great mother and partner. I would be properly and seriously delighted relieved if he knew the truth, and despite it, they could still live happily ever after, but what's the right way forward? Do we shut up and watch and wait? Or speak with the guy? Or what?? Wine and Chocolate if you read this far!

OP posts:
SovietKitsch · 17/04/2016 23:03

This is none of your business. Keep well out of it. It really isn't for you to be judge and jury as to whether or not she deserves a shot at a happy future.

leelu66 · 17/04/2016 23:05

See, at some points you do sound reasonable, an then there is a whiff of superiority.

When she turns up at her brother's and yours house after a break-up, what does she show up for? For some consoling from her DB or for financial help?

If it's the former, I don't think you should begrudge her that.

And why shouldn't she fall for a stable and solvent guy? Is she supposed to follow a pattern of falling for jerks for thr rest of her life? Confused

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/04/2016 23:05

"Her new partner is an adult. It's up to him to do his research. ... It's up to her new partner to protect himself financially."
By and large, people expect their partners to be honest with them. Very few would research their intended's finances, I would think.

MistressDeeCee · 17/04/2016 23:05

Your post is passive aggressive. You don't like this woman at all, and you judge her in a very snipey way. I see your concern stretches to "her DPs stepped forth and put another roof over her head. I wouldn't have been so kind". & "she's also a disaster with relationships". Nice.

What does your DP think about you being so over-invested in his sister's life, which you seem to know about in micro-detail? Is he happy about you making his sister's business your business? I guess she is the source of much of your conversation

I'm not fooled by your faux concern at all. Its none of your business whatsoever to go gossiping - but do it if you want to, hopefully her partner will stay with her and help her get help and advice for her debt, and the 2 of them will distance themselves from you so you aren't privy to their lives. That would be the best outcome. Then again should that happen its likely you'd be like a bat out of hell round to your PIL's to prise info from them about their daughter, and bend your DH's ears too

Then again he may not stay with her in which case, you can remain ever alert and poised to spring should another man come along who looks like he may be keen to be in a relationship with SIL - you can focus on scuppering that too, can't you? It will keep you busy, remaining ever vigilant.

Your deep concern for a total stranger juxtaposed with your need for your SIL to be unhappy is "commendable"

HPsauciness · 17/04/2016 23:10

It is not true that if he married her he would inherit her debt. Her debt is hers alone, and if she is not able to get credit, then he will not be able to get say a joint mortgage or credit card with her anyway, and her credit history will soon be revealed to him. If her credit is that appalling, then he will find out as soon as they try to move forward financially together.

I can't believe everyone saying pull him on one side and basically try to put him off her. It's up to her to disclose her debt to him. I have never heard of anyone 'warning off' a family member over anything, it sounds like something people would do in EastEnders, not in real life where everyone I know minds their own business and doesn't try to put off potential partners of their siblings.

If she found out you did this, I suspect it would cause a huge family rift (parents will back her too as they have done so so far).

KittyKrap · 17/04/2016 23:13

It's not your business. The best you can do is ask her to tell him about it. If it gets serious then he'll soon see letters and wonder for himself.

Yseulte · 17/04/2016 23:20

I think the advice to wait, and for your DH to tackle it if necessary is right.

If it were me I'd be grateful for the head's up. As I would if she were abusive.

Yseulte · 17/04/2016 23:23

Your post is passive aggressive. You don't like this woman at all, and you judge her in a very snipey way

Ironic much.

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 17/04/2016 23:28

MistressDeeCee As much as SIL's finances have given us no end of migraines, I'd actually be enormously happy (and I'll say it, very relieved) if this one worked out all round. I want it anything BUT scuppered. What do I stand to gain by her continuing to be miserable and ultimately becoming DH's responsibility when his DPs pass away? If she can get her life on track that is GREAT news as far as I'm concerned.

OP posts:
MistressDeeCee · 17/04/2016 23:31

If it were me I'd be grateful for the head's up. As I would if she were abusive.

Ironic much

Also nicely passive aggressive Smile

Stick to the thread topic and answering the OP - who is not me - and don't be a bore.

LanaorAna1 · 17/04/2016 23:35

What are you scared of? That she'll ask you for money, or something? Are you bitter your PIL spent money on her not on you and DH? Ask yourself why you're so over-invested here.

You obviously don't like your SIL. I'm not sure why - debt isn't uncommon, but your wanting to sabotage her new relationship goes way beyond conventional bitchery.

The poor, poor woman - having screwed up, she's facing both a lifetime of paying it back and, as you say in a pp, 'being endlessly punished' by her parents. What a life.

Now, in a new relationship where she's happy and pathetically hoping for a long-term partner and children, her SIL's scuttling around behind her back trying to sabotage it.

What a family you are.

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 17/04/2016 23:36

leelu66 See, at some points you do sound reasonable, an then there is a whiff of superiority.

Mea culpa. I go back and forth between feeling sorry for her and getting frustrated with the situation.

When she turns up at her brother's and yours house after a break-up, what does she show up for? For some consoling from her DB or for financial help?

For a house to live in, probably. Her DPs want to sell the house they've put her in asap. If she moved in with him, and then it ranked, she probably wouldn't be able to face going back to them.

And why shouldn't she fall for a stable and solvent guy? Is she supposed to follow a pattern of falling for jerks for thr rest of her life? confused

Heck, this new choice is great, and long may it continue. Her previous pattern has always been for exciting, attractive, good-time guys though, who have turned out to be major arseholes too good to be true.

OP posts:
MistressDeeCee · 17/04/2016 23:39

OP Im not sure why your SIL's finances give you a migraine. Or why she would be your DH's responsibiity if her parents pass away - is she under 18?! There really isn't any way to justify what you want to do, sorry. As for what you stand to gain, immense satisfaction could be it. Who knows. Thats more than enough for some. Especially where they don't like or approve of a person, and have the means to interfere in their life You might find playing judge and jury backfires, you don't always get the outcome you envisaged and you aren't able to choose others' reactions either. Not to mention the effect of the fallout. But anyway as said do it if you want to, its your call whether others agree or not, after all

SoftDriftedSnow · 17/04/2016 23:40

What a bizarre thread. MN never ceases to amaze me.

Of course you find a way to tell him the situation. Like she is going to!

If you've never been on the receiving end of one of these financial fuckwits, you'll never know the lengths they'll go to deceive & avoid. The thought that lots of people knew the situation but declined to share fills me with horror.

What's wrong with you all? She's not taking ownership, she's just burying her head yet again. And likely taking down someone else. Is blood really thicker than water when it means someone else being shafted?

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 17/04/2016 23:42

*tanked

OP posts:
LanaorAna1 · 17/04/2016 23:43

Sorry, cross-posts - you are worried SIL will cost you money - 'when DPs pass away' etc.

You know that concern is neither rational nor attractive. OK, be honest about it.

Ummm, have you considered the idea of just being kind? Would it be something you could entertain as a possibility? Because that would help. Sabotaging and bitchery don't, generally.

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 17/04/2016 23:44

MistressCeeDee It gave us migraines because we didn't come out of it unscathed.

OP posts:
zozzij · 17/04/2016 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 17/04/2016 23:53

LanaorAna1 I'm losing track here. I have a lot of worries - that some nice guy will get shafted (that's the selfless aspect), that we'll end up taking care of SIL and baby (that's the selfish one), that the whole thing might have been prevented if we'd just said something, and more besides. If it were simply a small debt I'd have shrugged it off, but it's massive. What is kinder here? Potentially letting a guy get shafted and a baby born into an awful mess? Or keeping out of it? (If I knew the answer I wouldn't be on AIBU.)

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 17/04/2016 23:53

awkward situation - am on the fence. I really hope she tells him herself

EverySongbirdSays · 17/04/2016 23:56

Also, he's only potential BIL

ie he is NOT her fiance, nor do you have any reason to suppose he is about to propose.

Right now, he's just her boyfriend. There's no reason to suppose he will ever be your BIL.

Live in the present be pleased for her and have migraines over current problems that need solving over potential hypotheticals.

SurroMummy13 · 17/04/2016 23:59

Id say something.

You said he's a nice guy. You don't want her trapping him with s kid then these debts coming forward,

I'd be furious if I got into s relationship like that and no one warned me:

She has history, she's likely not told him a damn thing

coffeeisnectar · 18/04/2016 00:01

I'd tell him. If they ever got a joint account she could ruin him.

From what you've said, this isn't a one off but a succession of financial disasters and she's terrible with money.

They could still have a good relationship but he would need to ensure that she wasn't able to spend every penny they had.

BillSykesDog · 18/04/2016 00:02

that the whole thing might have been prevented if we'd just said something

And there in a nutshell is the whole problem. You are not looking at this as telling someone who needs to know some information they need to know (and might already know, and might stay in a relationship even if they knew).

You are doing this because you have already decided that your SIL shouldn't in your opinion have a relationship or a child and you see that as something which you need to 'prevent'. That's vile. You're not doing this selflessly, you're doing it because you have a view on how her life should be and what she should have and you are determined to control that outcome.

You say 'oh I want them to be happy and stay together anyway'. But, no, you don't. You've completely given yourself away there, for all your protesting otherwise your aim is to 'prevent' her from having a relationship and family.

BillSykesDog · 18/04/2016 00:04

And you've decided her life is too much of a 'mess' for children so you want to sabotage it? You really are a piece of work aren't you?