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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What should I do about this money?

112 replies

cararri · 05/08/2021 12:59

I'll try and be brief, I'll have to fudge a couple of details too so forgive me if I get my wires crossed doing that.

I have had a very troubled relationship with both my parents. They have a troubled relationship with each other. They have no friends and have fallen out with every other relative. They both have narcissistic traits and my Dm is very codependent. I am late 30s, only child.

The emotional and psychological abuse, plus the sabotage and lying from my Ps have been truly awful. The levels of control they achieved over me were unbelievable. I look back now and I can't understand how I got so worn down as to accept it all. Financial control has been a huge thing.

The thing is, a few years ago, my DF really calmed down. He was still not great and his attitude towards me was still one of disinterest and demands but it was as good as it was ever going to be. Sadly at this point my DM escalated her behavior enormously. She became very manipulative, verbally abusive and cruel to me.

Very sadly she also confirmed a few enormous lies that have had huge consequences for me. These were not small lies either, they were prolonged campaigns of pretending to be interested and involved in good things I was trying to do and making sure they didn't happen. Very deliberate. A couple of these things were related to finances and education.

Anyway. My DPs are well off. Not like the Windsors or anything but comfortably off. They set up a few savings accounts for me and gifted me the money. We are talking in the 10s of 1000s. I was not allowed to touch these. Fair enough.

I do realise that this was very generous of them and that there are people out there who would love to be able to do this or receive this kind of help and can't. I also know that my Ps came from very poor backgrounds and to them this is like… why would I not just accept whatever their demands are in return for such a huge advantage.

At the start of 2019 I went through a few problems and was struggling. I did not tell my Ps this, I tell them as little as possible. They found out through opening post that I was in my overdraft and offered me some money. Let's say 1K. I stupidly accepted. I didn't live with them at the time but my Dm insisted my bank statements got sent to their house. I did say not to open them but she would say she did it by mistake..pause…and then say I would never know if it was a mistake or on purpose anyway.

After this my DM said she wanted to have access to all my bank statements and that in return for her putting money in my account which she would regularly do she would go through all the spending with me and discuss it and tell me what I was allowed to use the money for. I thanked her and said that was very generous but I felt it was not a good idea. So I basically said no thanks to a gift of money every month. This went down like a sack of the proverbial.

She also said that because I would inherit money and a house she wanted me to do nothing with my life except what she said. This would have meant becoming single, moving back in and asking permission to go anywhere or see anyone. I was very much Shock her response was "you'll have it all when I'm dead, can you not wait until then, you just want me dead now so you can have more money!" I left, very, very upset.

I have trouble clearly remembering this as it was so confusing but she was also insisting I stop working. She was saying I could go on benefits and give the money to her and she would pay for whatever I wanted that she approved of. Seriously though, I can't even really remember that part. When people behave this way it makes you feel crazy yourself and you shut down.

In 2019 I became very ill. I used one savings account to enable me to survive really. Me and my Ps were NC at the time. There is another account I have not touched.

I felt awful using the money, like I was stealing. However, I was very ill and the money was in an account in my name and I thought well, would my Ps really want me to languish and suffer when there is an account there with funds in it? It all feels very odd.

There are 3 other accounts with significant funds in them. These are online accounts and the login details and the old phone I used to verify etc are at my parents house.

As I am aware this is getting long let me just say there is NO WAY I can just go round and talk to them. It just does not work like that. My DM has all these rituals she needs me to do before she even let's me cross the threshold. She is incredibly mean and abusive from the first second of opening the door. She will literally corner me and then square off to me (she is tiny, I am not) kind of making it feel like I would have to physically mover her to get away. She lies in the extreme. She tells my DF one thing and me another. My DF is a self pitying bully who has no patience for anyone or anything and goes into meltdowns. She says disgusting things about people's appearance and I am not looking my best after being ill for so long. I don't really feel up to someone I actually care about taking the piss out of my thin hair, weight gain or things like that. She did that to a horrible extreme before I was ill, when I was quite well actually.

The thing is, they really need to take this money back, don't they?

There is no reason they can't login to these accounts themselves and technically they could take the money out again. That's fine with me, it's theirs. I suppose that's not technically legal though?

Also, say I did login..how do I send that much money back to them? I am guessing there is a limit on how much money I can gift to them in one year etc? This was all set up over the years with the cash as gifts to me basically.

I have come to understand that my DM will manipulate any chance she gets. She sees money as the golden chalice of manipulation. I can't see how this will ever be resolved because she won't ever want to drop that advantage. As I already said, she'll spin it one way to my DF and then spin it to me a different way. When she gets us together she gets very aggressive because she doesn't want to get caught out lying, which happens.

I can't really carry on having accounts in my name that I can't access, don't know what is in them and try and make my own financial plans on that basis. I can't resolve this is person.

The three accounts have approximately 3 Xs the amount in the account I have access to. I don't want to return the one I have access to. I don't know if that's a reasonable position to take or not.

I literally don't know what to do.

OP posts:
iloverock · 05/08/2021 13:10

First question is why are you still in touch with these people. They sound batshit.
Honestly you do not have to have a relationship with them. Walk away

LemonSwan · 05/08/2021 13:13

If they are your name it is your money.

If you dont want to use the money - Just leave the money in the accounts where it is and forget about it.

If you do want to access them just open a new savings account with every bank and join online banking. Your other accounts will be automatically linked.

Freddiefox · 05/08/2021 13:13

Hi op, it’s all sounds very complicated. What do you want to happen? Do no you want to go no contact with them which Is what in would suggest. Then get on with your life as best you can and access counselling as well. In regards to the money, is it your money? Have they given it to you? If you have access to it and it’s yours then spend it. It’s in your name. But a house, make yourself comfortable and spend the rest healing from the abuse.

Contact the bank and ask for new access. They will help you.

If you want to give it back, you can give them 7k each year I think.

britnay · 05/08/2021 13:17

First thing, it is very important to change your bank address (and everything else!) to the address that you live in.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 05/08/2021 13:19

If you do want to access them just open a new savings account with every bank and join online banking. Your other accounts will be automatically linked.

This sounds a good idea. Or open a new account with a new bank, ring each of these banks, confirm your identity etc and ask for the funds to be transferred over?

I’d then move, change phone number, change email address and never speak to your parents again. And I don’t say that lightly.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 05/08/2021 13:22

Why on earth are you maintaining a relationship with them?

Just walk away. It will do your mental health a world of good.

Not everything is about money. Unless that's what you're interested in...

cararri · 05/08/2021 13:22

Hi @Freddiefox basically I am NC but would ideally like a relationship, I just don't know if that is possible. I also know that right now trying would not be in my best interests.

The money is theirs and they have gifted it to me. So the account has my name on etc. I don't view it as my money if that makes sense.

I think I will have to contact my Ps and ask what they want me to do a) arrange new access as you say, which means I don't have to be in their house to deal with the accounts or b) I arrange new access and gradually return the money.

OP posts:
Idontgiveagriffindamn · 05/08/2021 13:27

This is your money and not theirs. They have no legal claim on it. Take control of it and go NC with these toxic people.
You need to contact the bank immediately and get all the contract details changed to your address / phone numbers.
You need to tell them that you suspect that other unauthorised people have access to these accounts and you wish to make these accounts secure again. They will discuss how this can be done. You don’t need to disclose who or the backstory.
But you must stress that nothing about these account should be disclosed by phone, paper or emails to any other person than you.

3scape · 05/08/2021 13:28

Change all the details to being yours and under your control. Make sure you transfer it all to accounts your parents have never had information about. Financial abuse/ control can be quite serious. How confident are you they haven't ever taken out debts in your name etc? Are you definitely on the electoral role at your current address? You need to secure your id

Freddiefox · 05/08/2021 13:28

@cararri

The money is theirs and they have gifted it to me. So the account has my name on etc. I don't view it as my money if that makes sense.

So it’s yours? It was a gift.. kelps the money and run. Honesty, your mind is clouded at the moment.

Have you had counselling? Please start going. Worse case, leave money as it is until you’ve had good long quality counselling. At least give yourself the chance to put some boundaries in places

cararri · 05/08/2021 13:29

@LemonSwan I hadn't thought about the automatic link, thank you.

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy there's currently no relationship and hasn't been for over 2 years. I don't think having 3 accounts in my name that I can't access and someone else can is the best idea. Also, I did say I think they should have the money back.

OP posts:
TheWayTheLightFalls · 05/08/2021 13:29

think I will have to contact my Ps and ask what they want me to do a) arrange new access as you say, which means I don't have to be in their house to deal with the accounts or b) I arrange new access and gradually return the money.

This is not a good idea, it will likely lead to a new iteration of the same narcissistic crap. You can either find this out now or 1/2/5/10 years down the track.

MrsRonaldUlyssesSwanson · 05/08/2021 13:30

If they gifted the money to you then it is yours. And if the accounts are in your name, you can contact the bank, verify your identity and change the address to your address, and ask for new login details to be sent to you in order to prevent your parents from accessing these accounts. Don't let them control you.

BeenThruMoreThanALilBit · 05/08/2021 13:31

They’ve really done a number on you.

You make no sense, contradict yourself within the same sentence. This is because your relationship with your parents is a contradiction. So muddled and confused and backwards.

The money is in your name. It is yours, legally. Morally, that’s for you to decide.

Your parents bring extreme levels of misery and hardship into your life. You don’t need that. Not having them in your life would be much, much easier than what you have now. Appreciate you’re an only child, but honestly, nothing at all would be better than this.

What a mess.

Derbee · 05/08/2021 13:32

I would take the money that’s in your name and go NC. They sound awful

timeisnotaline · 05/08/2021 13:33

@TheWayTheLightFalls

If you do want to access them just open a new savings account with every bank and join online banking. Your other accounts will be automatically linked.

This sounds a good idea. Or open a new account with a new bank, ring each of these banks, confirm your identity etc and ask for the funds to be transferred over?

I’d then move, change phone number, change email address and never speak to your parents again. And I don’t say that lightly.

Arrange new access as suggested, and change your mailing address. Don’t contact them. You’re still being so controlled! I think spend it if you want, but don’t if you don’t want. Don’t go hungry to not spend it. Don’t repay them. (Do be prepared for a shitty inheritance as their revenge for you breaking free of them)
Idontgiveagriffindamn · 05/08/2021 13:34

Just read your last post. If they have gifted you the money it is not theirs it is yours.
You really have 2 issues:

  1. Control and inappropriate access to YOUR accounts. Especially your current account which is nothing to do with them.
  2. Whose money this is. Once you have control back you can address this point.
DonLewis · 05/08/2021 13:34

The money is yours. If they touch it, they're defrauding you, given that it's all in your name.

Do you know what I'd do? Transfer the money into new accounts. Accounts that they can't access because they have all of your details.

Don't tell them about it, just do it. Then you can decide what to do with the money. Are they in ISAs? Because sitting in savings accounts is not a sensible investment. Get some proper financial advice.

Walk away from your parents. It's so difficult, but they are completely toxic and it sounds like they're he'll bent on trying to destroy you. Don't let them destroy you.

JonahofArk · 05/08/2021 13:35

If the accounts are in your name and they have gifted you the money then it's yours. In your shoes I would either:

Go completely NC, contact the banks the accounts are with and gain control of the accounts and do what I want with the money.

Or

Go completely NC, do as above with the accounts, but return the money to your parents and close the accounts if you do not want to use the money or think it will continue to be used as a way to manipulate you.

And NC means NC-your post should not be going there and you do not need to justify any of your actions to them. Take control of your own life.

MontysMinions · 05/08/2021 13:41

OP this is so sad to read. I echo what PP has said. They've really messed with your thinning: you seem to still be seeking their permission and talk very submissively.

Have you had counselling for the trauma they have clearly inflicted on you?

The money is yours to do with as you wish. I would be gathering ID and going to the bank to update my personal details and changing everything over so my parents could not access.

Snog · 05/08/2021 13:49

I would suggest you get some counselling before you decide how to proceed. This will help you to feel confident and strong in whatever decision you make.

You need to think about what level of relationship you want and are able to have with your parents that is healthy for you. This might mean no relationship. Then consider your various options regarding the money and how this fits in with the kind of relationship you want going forward.

The current relationship sounds very unhealthy for you. I am concerned that if you return the money to your parents they will find out that you have spent some of it and will react badly to this.

My own mother is pretty high on narcissistic traits. I am very low contact with her having been no contact for two years prior to that.
I have accepted that she will be disinheriting me as a result. She is a wealthy woman in her 80s and a bumper inheritance would be great to have but my mental health and ability to live a peaceful life matter a whole lot more to me.

It is very sad OP when your mother was not the mother you needed her to be as a child or wanted her to be as an adult. I found counselling super helpful.

LemonSwan · 05/08/2021 13:50

I hadn't thought about the automatic link, thank you.

Happened to me by accident once. Went to open a new current account. Joined online banking. Then behold! A couple of grand in a joint account my mother had set up for me as a child and had completely forgotten about! I asked if she wanted it back, she said no and so I added it to my house deposit I was saving at the time.

In your situation I would not ask.

I would open the new accounts and then you can see through online banking what you are dealing with. Are they AccountNo with an x at the end? That means they are joint. If they are a single account no then it is 100% your money and you do not need to speak to your parents about it.

Twizique · 05/08/2021 13:53

Keep the money, use it for some therapy to help you process your past relationship with your parents, never feel guilty about keeping it.

Lettitbee · 05/08/2021 13:57

I'm sorry that your parents have treated you like this. It does seem sensible to go NC.

Just a point on giving the money back. There is no 'gift tax' or limit on giving money to other people in the UK. If you think the right course is to give all the money back to your parents, you can do so all in one go, there is no need to do so in stages. People get confused because of inheritance tax, but this is unlikely to apply in this case. (It would only be applicable if you died before your parents and had left your estate to them, and the estate was subject to inheritance tax.)

cararri · 05/08/2021 14:00

Just to answer a few PPs, I have changed address, bank statements now only come here (not the 3 in question obviously as they are all online and I have no access atm) and I am on the electoral roll.

@Freddiefox you are right I am still confused about everything. I have been having some therapy, that has been what has led me to realise that the situation was more than "eccentric" which is what I have always been told.

I have made a start with boundaries, which is why I don't want to go to their house because they won't respect a boundary, it will just incense them. Also I realised I don't want to do the rituals my DM insists on..so there is just no point going.

Thank you for your advice, it is really helpful.

OP posts:
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