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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to refuse aunt’s FWB claim on her estate?

110 replies

Sleepneededprettyplease · 18/03/2026 19:54

I am wondering if I am actually being unreasonable here. I obviously don't think I am but this could end up in court and I am worried.

I am executor for my Aunt's estate. She had no children herself but lived close to me and my sister and always considered us as hers. We actually lived with her for some years. Anyway as she was getting older she decided to sell most of her investments and buy a house in my name as an alternative way of investing hoping to avoid inheritance tax. The intent was always that half the value was my sisters but for other reasons she couldn't be on the deeds.

In the last few years of her life she reconnected with an old uni flame and asked me if he could stay in the house for a bit. I never really considered it mine so felt that if that's what she wanted then of course it should happen. She would visit him some of the time sort of FWB. She went out of her way to tell me that the house was for me and my sister and this changed nothing. She also told me ge wasn't in her will as she wanted us to inherit.

Unfortunately after a fairly short illness (6 months) during which she lived with me she died.

The FWB chap is now claiming he is her dependant and has a right to her estate. My lawyers tell me that legally his case is very weak and if he does contest the will they think that they can get it thrown out without even going to a full hearing as he is refusing to disclose vital information.

Am I in the wrong though? My Aunt would be devastated at the trouble this is causing.

OP posts:
Everybodys · 19/03/2026 17:45

So he thinks a house your aunt didn't own and that he was living in without a formal legal agreement counts as part of her estate? Quite the chancer!

Zanatdy · 19/03/2026 17:50

What a cheek. He won’t have a chance in hell of winning that.

Sleepneededprettyplease · 19/03/2026 17:54

Easterbunnyishotandcross · 19/03/2026 17:40

Who's name is the utility bills in? Tell them aunt is dead and to cut off all supplies..

His name. He has paid all utilities and council tax etc.

OP posts:
CowTown · 19/03/2026 18:15

😳

Lennonjingles · 19/03/2026 18:34

Sleepneededprettyplease · 19/03/2026 17:54

His name. He has paid all utilities and council tax etc.

Does your Solicitor know this, has he put these into his name or does he just pay them. Council and utilities should be informed of her death.

Sleepneededprettyplease · 19/03/2026 18:43

They are in his name as it was an informal tenancy type thing. Her name isn't on that house mine is. Her council and utilities have been informed of her death.

OP posts:
Badbadbunny · 19/03/2026 19:51

Sleepneededprettyplease · 19/03/2026 17:54

His name. He has paid all utilities and council tax etc.

Unfortunately that may muddy the waters a bit as it makes his occupancy "official" to an extent rather than him just being a temporary visitor.

Sleepneededprettyplease · 19/03/2026 22:22

Yes but we have a court decree that he has to leave. His only avenue now it the dependent thing

OP posts:
stichguru · 19/03/2026 22:36

So sorry you have had to go through this. Your aunt bothered and was physically and mentally able to tell you 3 times that she everything was coming to you in her will. I therefore see NO REASON whatsoever that she wouldn't have been able to tell you what she wanted to go to her friend, AND change her will to match if that's what she wanted! He'd have to prove that she wanted to change her will and couldn't, wouldn't he?

JohnofWessex · 19/03/2026 22:37

As the occupant he is liable for Council Tax and utilities

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