Hi all,
I hope everyone is well. Firstly the obligatory apologies if this is the incorrect area to post. I've literally just joined mumsnet to get this advice.
Without boring you too much with details as well as trying to remain a little bit anon on the interweb, I am in need of help.
Three years ago my sister died unexpectedly. She had quite a large family and through circumstances I don't wish to share, her children ended up in the care of my mother and stepfather.
Fast-forward to now and the years gone have been emotionally and financially crippling to us all.
My parents have had to endure legal fights to obtain parental responsibility and SGO. The support from the local social services deserves a thread of its own but I'll let that slide for now. It got to the point where the costs of keeping/raising the kiddies impacted on mortgage payments being missed, bills being unpaid blah blah blah. My husband has essentially carried us both whilst my wage goes to my parents and the children.
We've been asked by our solicitor dealing with my sister's death for a list of pretty much everything we can think of that my parents (and me) have had to fore-go or pay out as a means of raising the children. Thing is, as a non-parent myself and my folks busy raising them it's crazy how much things just go by the way such as buying them an ice-cream etc. Over time this all adds up.
So, again, as a non-parent I can easily populate a list of costs which are obvious such as food, clothes, uniform for school etc but pretty sure I'm overlooking a fair amount as I try and compile this list. I have previous bank statements which help but my folks are old-school and prefer cash so keeping track that way will be difficult.
Any help on areas I will be completely overlooking here?
Again, apologies is this is too vague or is repeated etc.