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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Historic Probate, Sisters "misunderstanding"

16 replies

BippidyBoppety · 31/12/2024 21:24

I'm one of three daughters, Parents had me as the executor of their Wills (sisters are in media/nursing, I'm finance). When Dad died Mum opened an account solely for her funeral expenses giving me access - on her instructions I'd check balances and update her on amounts, she'd get Statements through the post (Mum not online, no IT knowledge). Mum was firm she didn't want my sisters to know anything about her finances, but did tell them both that I had access to funds to pay for her funeral (obsessed she'd have a paupers funeral with us three daughters not having money to pay for it).

Me as executor was a source of irritation for older sister who thought she should be the one to sort things, and for younger sister who lived closest. When Mum died (over 16 years ago) I had both sisters with me at the Solicitors to talk through probate, Solicitor suggested they incorporate this "Funeral Fund" into the Estate with all funeral expenses paid through the Estate. Again, both sisters at the meeting, I checked with sisters they were OK with this, and it was agreed. Funeral was paid for and the rest of the Estate split 3 ways. I worked through the sale of Mum's home, all correspondence with the Solicitors, Banks, Pension, Utilities, Inland Revenue, the usual stuff.

Except.

Older sister had had 2 pints of cider at lunch before the Solicitors meeting, has no recollection of the Funeral Fund agreement and has told the family I've had the Funeral Fund away on my toes (approx 10,500 GBP). Younger sister told me this 10 years ago, (younger sister also doesn't remember the agreement but trusts I wouldn't do anything shady); I dismissed it as nonsense but it's grown legs - I'm not invited to extended family stuff, no Christmas cards, texts etc. Contact with both sisters has ceased in recent years - saw the older sister earlier this year at a friends funeral; she spoke to me but was very offhand. Rolling eyes to her DH. That sort of thing.

As a result of this I've recently spoken to the Solicitor who (even 16 years on!) has a spreadsheet which shows this Funeral Fund as part of the Estate. If I send this to both sisters I've no guarantee they'll tell extended family that it was their misunderstanding re this Funeral Fund and I've actually not done them out of what would have worked out at less than 1,500 GBP each for the three of us (expensive funeral). Neither sister are financially savvy and probably wouldn't know what they would be looking at. Am I flogging a dead horse?

I honestly could write both sisters out of my life, the flaming drama -!- but the thought of extended family thinking I'd commit fraud on Mum's finances makes me seethe. My professional integrity too .... And that my kid might be at my funeral in years to come with this being told as fact ....

YABU - leave it be, you know you did right, don't poke the bear
YANBU - send the spreadsheet, make it known you won't be slandered and you trust them to put right what has been told to others in the past

OP posts:
Lammveg · 31/12/2024 21:35

I think even if you send it they'll still not believe you, sadly. Or they won't be forthcoming to other family members that they've misunderstood. I'd probably send it anyway just for my own peace of mind.

Sorry OP it's shit being the one to have to deal with it all and being accused of nonsense.

BIossomtoes · 31/12/2024 21:39

Nothing you say will change anything. A letter from the solicitor enclosing the spreadsheet might.

InconvenientPeg · 31/12/2024 21:41

The only way it worked for my parents after similar shenanigans was when they met extended family at another funeral and worked it into the conversation, not ideal but it did the job

Harassedevictee · 31/12/2024 21:47

@BippidyBoppety definitely get the solicitor to send the spreadsheet to your sisters. In the covering letter they can confirm everything was done correctly and the money added to the estate as per their advice.

They could also find some nice words to state their allegations are based on factually inaccurate information and they need to ensure that if they have repeated factually incorrect information to 3rd parties, such as relatives, that they advise them of the correct facts.

Personally I might send a copy of the accounts and covering letter to my relatives too.

Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2024 21:52

I’d send it to everyone so everyone knows they’re a pair of arseholes then block them.

ARichtGoodDram · 31/12/2024 21:54

I would send it with a letter to anyone whose opinion you care about.

they may still not believe you, but you’ve little to lose

Critsey · 31/12/2024 22:00

Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2024 21:52

I’d send it to everyone so everyone knows they’re a pair of arseholes then block them.

This.
They have spead lies that you committed fraud.
What disgusting stupid people they are.
I would be sending it to key people in the family expressing your sadness that they believed lies about you.

The solicitor confirming all of this in a clear letter is an excellent idea too.
Perhaps suggesting that saying otherwise is slandering you.

I'd be tempted to sue them and cause them stress.
But then I have zero tolerance for liars.

MikeRafone · 31/12/2024 22:02

They want to be hard done by, it makes for a much more interesting story in their lives

you are continually trying to fix things

the youngest. just goes along with who ever she is with at the time

stop fixing things that don't need to be fixed, you would be worse of with them in yr lives anyway but just can't see it

MikeRafone · 31/12/2024 22:02

your mum trusted you for a reason

Dotto · 31/12/2024 22:17

What other people think of you is none of your business. Anyone willing to believe lies or a foul version of events isn't worth anything to you anyway.

You have nothing to prove to anybody. Head high.

VegTrug · 31/12/2024 22:24

Yes definitely get the Solicitor to write a letter including proof. It will cost a few hundred but it will be worth every penny. I would make sure that the Solicitor mentions that he/she was witness to both sisters not only being shown this but also agreeing to it.

Onlyonekenobe · 31/12/2024 22:31

Are you absolutely sure that THIS (ie funeral expenses, and only the issue of funeral expenses) is why your extended family members are distancing themselves?

SensibleSigma · 31/12/2024 22:31

I would absolutely send a letter enclosing a cover letter from the solicitor stating the agreement. I’d send it to key members of the family and ask they set the record straight should they hear such gossip as it inaccurate and would have implications in your work.

BippidyBoppety · 31/12/2024 22:33

MikeRafone · 31/12/2024 22:02

They want to be hard done by, it makes for a much more interesting story in their lives

you are continually trying to fix things

the youngest. just goes along with who ever she is with at the time

stop fixing things that don't need to be fixed, you would be worse of with them in yr lives anyway but just can't see it

This, with older sis, being the eldest by a lot of years, rings true. She is full drama, hadn't spoken to Mum for almost 18 months before terminal diagnosis; this accusation took focus from her to me (had Mums brother confront me at funeral asking to see Mums will, which I thought was weird at the time).

I've made solicitors aware, they were recommended by younger sister at the time.

I'm sick of this being in my head.

OP posts:
takeittakeit · 31/12/2024 22:42

OP get the solicitor to send it with a covering letter to all your relatives.

i was the Executor of both my parents estates for good reason - I get things done! Eldest sibling miffed as felt they should have been for the first death, so made parent put them on their will.
Come that death - they did nothing other than delay things because would not sign stuff in a timely manner. Younger sibling then got the hump ( well their DP did) and accused me of all sorts of shennigans - as probate took a while during Covid.
Got tired of the sneers from in law and the constant nit picking- so got solicitor to do the above - not a peep since and things have settled down bar the odd comment - which I just raise an eyebrow at.

I knew I had done nothing and the solicitor confirmed it - I now am at peace with the whole stressful episode.

LadyInRainbow · 31/12/2024 23:13

Send the spreadsheet to all family with a letter from the solicitor.

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