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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

This is completely horrible

281 replies

whoisshe124 · 05/10/2016 23:51

NC'd obvs.

DDad died around 7 years ago. Strong character. Much missed. Died far too young (67). This is relevant.... He was self-made (think a lesser Alan Sugar, i.e. came from nothing, set up his own business, made it a success. Not gazillions, but business still strong and still going)

My mum has some wealth (because of dad's business. She's worked - she's been really successful - but not at the same level dad achieved.

I have young parents. Mum was around 65 when he died. They'd been together since she was 13. Very, very sad.

My DM is a bit amazing. (I would say that.... I love her to pieces!). She's a counsellor.

My mum befriends people. People love her. She's a friend (unofficial carer) to about a million people. There's someone she knows who is a social outcast to people who know him/his history. He's been through the courts twice, and has been shunned by people who know about it because of it. I'm not going to say what it was because it's outing, but it's sexual crimes against the vulnerable. My mum is his friend. After dad died, he's lived with her when he had no where else to go (for about a year and a half). She sees through the crimes that other people can't to the person beneath, and they get on really well and enjoy each other's company. He is a year older than me. and I fucking hate him. pervy, creepy fuck that he is, but not going to say this cos it derails my own thread and is outing to him. Not that he deserves any privacy!

Earlier this year their relationship moved on a level, and they're now a couple, although they keep this very quiet. I nearly started threads about it on here, because it is doing my head in, but I kind-of knew that MN would tell me it was none of my business, so I didn't. And my mum's older, but not old/old, and has the right to enjoy the rest of her life. it is very hard when she gets 'giddy' and excited though. BUT none of my business. I do get it's none of my business

I was talking to mum today about money, because we are skint. DH has recently taken early retirement, and I work almost full-time, and in a massively satisfying job, but one which doesn't pay well. We have (finally) achieved good work/life balance, but it's not enough to pay the bills, and we're worried about it. We are NOT on the breadline.... I work with people in poverty, and that's not us. We can't afford treats and holidays (boo-hoo us! I do appreciate people are in far worse situations). But DD's birthday is in November and Christmas is coming, and I honestly don't know how we're going to get through them (we will, but it will be hard. Not foodbank hard, but hard).

So far, so first world. I do get I'm being first-world!

I was talking to mum today, and I was telling her about this. My mum is wealthy (because of dad's business). So firstly, mum was offering to give me some of my inheritance early, and inherit less as a way to solve our immediate issues. I really don't want this (a) it breaks my heart to think of my mum dying and (b) at my age and stage, I think we should be dealing with this ourselves and finding our own solutions.

But, while we were talking about money, she had something to suggest to me. She said it came from the best place and out of kindness, but that she knew I wouldn't see it that way, but was going to tell me in any case.

When she dies (urrrrgh, urrrrgh, urrrgh. This breaks me!) me and my sister (who are NC) will inherit both a reasonable amount of money and property. And the business (which also comes with both). Her delightful BF has suggested that me and my (NC) sister will pay less inheritance tax if she gives some money to him which he has told her he will give to us.

I don't want to sound grabby. And I told mum it was her money, and she was welcome to give it all to the local cat's home if that was what she wanted.
But isn't this fucking cunt prick fleecing her? He's TOLD her he'll give it to us. But he's under no obligation to.

If he didn't, or if he put conditions on it, we'd have no chance to report him, because it's a tax dodge (and so illegal). It also means he'd stay in our lives, which I couldn't countenance (I fucking hate him,and would want nothing to do with him if mum wasn't around. I feel this is a way for him to stay in our lives)

This is very horrible and base. I'm ashamed about it, because I feel it's reducing my mum to what I'd potentially inherit from her, which is horrendous for me. I don't want to live in a world without her in it. With or without money.

But if this creep stays around, I promise I want nothing to do with him after mum dies. I don't want him to have a hold over me, potentially dishing out the occasional tenner if I'm nice to him.

How can I tell my mother I think he's a chancer who's fleecing her, when she's happy? And there's SO much back-story I'm not mentioning about my sister, who's made mum's life a misery.

This is just horrible!

OP posts:
fj3568 · 07/10/2016 12:06

Check out the Linda Bellingham story and take the money now, I'd say

ChequeOff · 07/10/2016 14:42

TBH you really should have been given inheritance when your DF died as that way you would have not had to pay inheritance tax. The way it's been handled has only served to potentially double IHT on your DF's estate which obviously isn't the best way. It's surprising that you weren't all advised of this at the time of your DF's death.

It really depends on how your DM sees you and your sister's right to your father's estate.

Sorry to be brutally honest but the fact is, if she chooses to give it to her new boyfriend instead then she is not only a fool but actually robbing you too.

TheSparrowhawk · 07/10/2016 14:59

Wow your parents really let you down. Why didn't your father give you a share of his business?? Why has your mother brought a sex offender in her daughter and granddaughter's life???

You need to walk away until your mother wakes the fuck up IMO.

Memoires · 07/10/2016 16:55

I do kind of agree with Sparrowhawk. I really hope he never, ever gets near the gcs.

What do you think would her response be if you lost your objective head, and said it as baldly as Sparrowhawk? "WHY have you brought a sex offender into my life mum? You are meant to protect me! What about dd, mum?"; no 'rational adult' in sight, letting your inner child (I hate that phrase!) have sway for a while? What do you think your mum would do?

randomer · 07/10/2016 17:20

sparrow I'm with you but I have been skirting round it

whoisshe124 · 07/10/2016 23:57

Creepy's been around since DGC were tots. Dm's always assured me DD was safe, as "it's boys he's more interested in". DDad was alive back then. DM made a CONSCIOUS decision to befriend him after first court case. Dad was still very much alive then. Not especially keen, but he supported her. (Quite right, we all felt - ignoring how much we all loathed him as well - given how much DM supports DDad and how little she asks in return)

Creepy has been around and in the DGCs lives since they were babies. He has never, ever been alone with them, not for a mili-second. This was our condition. And when DM told me about their "status update" [which was about 6 months ago] one of the first things I said was 'the day DD finds out about your relationship is the last day you'll ever see her". DM is mindful of that. So DD has seen Creepy since they've become a couple, but not often. Going back to when they were just friends and Creepy was living with mum, he'd always stay elsewhere whenever one or more of the DGC stayed. It was always like the opposite of 'friends with benefits'. This was more "your friendship has conditions". We've all always been mindful of Creepy. Mum has always championed him. (go figure Confused

Dad's thinking would have been for mum. My grandparents did this too (both sides, and they were VERY different) - everything went to spouse; kids and GC got what was left after surviving partner died. Dad would have wanted mum to have the best of everything until she died. Then me and DSis and our kids get what's left. I have NO problem with that - he worked for it. He adored mum.

I talked to DM today. She's a bit away with the fairies as far as Creepy's concerned. My opening gambit was to pass on the MN advice (without saying it was MN) that it doesn't matter WHO she leaves the money to, it's the estate that pays. I then gently led in with the best way as far as I knew was for her to make a gift (and then live for 7 years). Her reaction was "great.... So I can make a gift to Creepy and then he can give it to you!!!!" So I had to then say "well, if you want to make a gift to Creepy, of course you can, but actually - for me - he'd be the worst person in the world, but anyway, I'd hate this whoever it was". [reasons being I'd be beholden, couldn't trust them, have to have contact, it's illegal, no way of fighting any disputes, etc. I said all this. And specifically added I'd hate it to be Creepy worst of all!]
Interestingly, DM insisted that Creepy is better-off than her (this might be true, his parents live in a house which must be worth upwards of £3 - £4 million pounds. Although, my parents lived in a house worth a lot - although not that much - and I'm skint). She doesn't think he has any financial motivation/interest. Doesn't stop him being greedy.

DM then went on to say that IF she sells her current house (something she's considering), then in that case there'll be money and she'll gift a proportion of it to me and DSis. She's been considering downsizing for about 2 years, and I'm massively anti it, as she's thinking of moving into an old-people's home, and I think that's her being old before her time. But seems like no money for me unless this happens, so I'm back to worrying about how we pay for Christmas. Dammit! I soooo don't want to have to leave my job. But I think I'm going to have to have a serious look around.

OP posts:
whoisshe124 · 08/10/2016 00:02

The DGC really like him. They often ask if he's going to be there, and are disappointed when he isn't (he often isn't since they've got it on, because he knows how livid I am about it and [a probably edited version] of how much I hate him. This is probably quite sad, but he is used to being hated and objected to. It's one of the consequences of people knowing you're on the sex-offences register!)

They are NEVER alone with him, and he doesn't (and hasn't) ever stay the night if they're there.

He has DC about 3 and 5 years younger than me DD (who is the youngest DGC). All the DGC know and like his kids.

OP posts:
ArmySal · 08/10/2016 00:04

The whole setup sounds bizarre, OP Confused

whoisshe124 · 08/10/2016 00:07

welcome to my world, ArmySal!

OP posts:
whoisshe124 · 08/10/2016 00:14

p.s. it's less bizarre when you have a parent who has contact with social piriahs - and has had her whole career - and is charged with empathy towards them.

Plus a naturally kind person, who believes in "looking behind the headlines"

She has NEVER minimised what he's done. She's never overlooked the horror of it. Never explained it away. She utterly understands and sympathises from the point of view of the victims. Her point is that you shouldn't be DEFINED by it. So she is able (as the rest of us around her are not) to acknowledge he's done horrific and unforgivable things, BUT he is also xyz, abc, etc. You can be a sex offender and still really good at crosswords (is how her mind works). And she is able to focus on the crosswords element, and enjoy doing crosswords (or whatever) with him.

DM has never pretended he isn't what he is. It's just that she sees more in him than just that, and she doesn't let THAT be "him".

I do think this makes my mum amazing.

I just wish she didn't fancy it!

OP posts:
Blu · 08/10/2016 00:19

When your children grow up and find out about all this, I hope they do not feel deeply betrayed by being allowed get to know and 'really like' a man who is a sex offender against other children , without them knowing that.

Your Mum is an adult, in possession of the facts- she can make her own informed (sic) decision to befriend a child sex offender.

Sorry, Op, I think it is a horrible abuse of your children's trust.

I can't imagine your mother, a counsellor, thinking that tis is remotely a good idea.

ArmySal · 08/10/2016 00:26

What I find bizarre is your tolerance of a sex offender living with your mother.

I just can't imagine a world where I'd lay ground rules with my mum about her lover being around my children. If I couldn't talk sense into her I wouldn't be going there again, nor my children.

whoisshe124 · 08/10/2016 00:34

So far this thread has been very supportive of me and my stance (thank you!)

You might all change your minds now.....

Because in response to Blu's thread. I do GET my mum's point that a person shouldn't be defined by the worst thing about them.

It's just my issue is that it doesn't mean you have to shag it!

I hope that when all the DGC grow up (a) they'll understand we DID protect them - we did make sure they were never alone with him. And (b) isn't this a bloody good lesson that the world isn't just black and white? I posted about this yesterday on this thread. Even Hitler was a vegetarian and painted. No one is just one thing. I hate Creepy. I hate him with vengeance. But I do know there are other things about him other than what he did. I - actually - don't think that's a bad message to pass onto a child (as long as they are properly protected, which ours are)

But, I am someone who's been brought up by a mother who's had convicted sex offenders and others as friends all my life.

I really hope this thread doesn't turn into something where I feel I have to defend Creepy. I'm not one of his greatest fans!

OP posts:
ArmySal · 08/10/2016 00:40

I don't agree with you, sorry.

A person whom I know to have sexually abused children wouldn't be anywhere near my children, at all, under any circumstances.

He's not an armed robber who has changed his ways, is he?

ChequeOff · 08/10/2016 00:47

Getting back to the point of the thread then, why does your mum keep talking about giving her new boyfriend money, especially if he's as flush as she says? Confused

And why on earth didn't you inherit anything when your father died? It just doesn't make any sense. Because potentially you could end up paying double tax on the money if your mother dies within 7 years of his death.

The whole set up is weird TBH.

whoisshe124 · 08/10/2016 00:49

You don't have to agree with me, ArmySal. Nor do you have to walk in my shoes.

There are a gazillion threads on here about people who have friends or relationships which have let them down and they are hanging on to. This is NOT the case for me. I hate the fucker. But because I love my mum, I accepted him (less so now he's a lover, but def did when he was a friend). I didn't do that at the expense of my child - I always protected her over and above everything else. And my mum always knew I did that.

OP posts:
ChequeOff · 08/10/2016 00:56

Well sorry to point it out but your mother is not protecting you over and above everything else.
I know you love her but she doesn't actually sound like very nice to me.

ArmySal · 08/10/2016 00:56

I know I don't have to agree with you.

However, if I did have to walk in your shoes, my AIBU would be about the sexual deviant living with my beloved mum, not the money she was talking about giving him, or being skint at Christmas.

Horses for courses, though.

ChequeOff · 08/10/2016 00:58

She knows you're struggling but isn't helping, just talks about it? Meanwhile shares with your her intentions to give her estate to creep?

Nope. She's playing you. If she really had your best interests at heart, she'd just give you the financial support you need. Not wind you up about giving it to creepy.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 08/10/2016 01:03

Don't think there is double inheritance tax. Because the OP's a Dad left the money all to his wife it was free of inheritance tax. When the OP's Mum passes away the estate wiil have a double tax free allowance (the Mum's and the Dad's) of £700000 or so, before inheritance tax is paid on the balance.

ChequeOff · 08/10/2016 01:09

Ah, ok Tinkly

I still stand by my other point about OP's mother winding her up. Why not just give her the money she needs instead of saying she'll give it to her new boyfriend abd theb he can give to her?

Great that she's so empathetic and supportive to ex cons and sex offenders, good for her. But she's not really doing a great job of it with her own daughter.

garlicandsapphire · 08/10/2016 01:16

Tinkly you are correct. Just researched it ourselves - thats why most couples leave most of their assets to their partner.

aurynne · 08/10/2016 01:34

IO have read the whole thread. OP, I understand that you have grown up with your mum showing empathy towards criminal pariahs, so your views are also blindsided by it. But I am sorry to say, your DM does not sound like such a good person as you paint her.

Your mum is really enjoying having the same penis that has been used to rape a child inside her.

That is not "seeing beyond the crime". That is actually being voluntarily blind to the massive hurt that man has caused to others and can cause to your family. By conniving sexually with this monster, she is risking you and your children's mental and physical health.

I would personally cut all contact with her and stop thinking about money. The risks inherent in this situation are far greater than losing some inheritance.

stonecircle · 08/10/2016 01:37

So your mum is not quite 70, has an active sex life, but is thinking of moving into an old people's home? That doesn't make sense to me.

ChequeOff · 08/10/2016 01:43

Personally I think the OP's mother sounds very manipulative