House deeds problem

[OneGreyBiscuit]

Myself, brother and mother moved in 2000 and with that the deeds to the house were put in all our names. My brother passed in August and his executor wanted to look through the documents as my brother was on the deeds. It transpires that our dear old mother changed the deeds into her name only in 2009. I think because my brother got into financial difficulties, although neither myself or brother signed anything agreeing to this. I am now at a stage of cutting contact with her as I'm done but can anyone give me any advice on the house situation?

I don't see how your names could have been removed without you signing paperwork. Could she have forged your signatures?

She should have had your signatures to send the form to the Land Registry. Have you asked her about it?

She must have forged your signatures to do that. It sounds like a reach to assume it was because of your brother’s financial difficulties as she has had the brass balls to forge both yours and his. Terrible. Speak to her about it then get to a lawyer.

I don't know. The paperwork just had a covering letter to explain why they had been changed but neither my brother's or my signature on anything apart from the original deeds.

The problem is I haven't really spoke to her since the funeral of my brother and don't want to and because of this she's likely to disinherit me and my children. My dad worked for that house as she effectively retired in 1968 and he would turn in his grave if she was to leave it to her neighbours and/or bingo chums.

What ages were you when you moved? Children can't own property AFAIK so maybe it was a mistake you'd been there in the first place?
When you say signatures on deeds what do you mean? Have you checked what Land Registry hold ? You can download that direct from the website.
Really you will need to check with mum though

We were over 18 when we moved. The house was purchased outright (no mortgage) so we all signed the deeds.

I’m confused. What is the paperwork that says it’s in your mother’s name?
Unless it’s like this, she hasn’t changed anything
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6172b83cd3bf7f56080b1bad/official-copy-of-a-register-specimen.pdf

Yup, that's very similar to what I see with just her signature on it. I didn't look at too much because my head was all over the place at the time. I definitely see the original deeds/land registry with all our signatures, the letter from the solicitor regarding the change and a land registry with just her signature on it

As others have said, you can’t just change deeds. There is legal process to follow which includes signing of documents. Can you download a copy of the deeds? Used to cost a couple of pounds or so to see what’s currently registered?

This is what I can't understand. How has she managed to change this without our authorisation? Unless the solicitor has committed malpractice?

did you sign the deeds? or additional paperworks?

download the house deeds from the registry and go through zoopla/rightmove for the history of the property.
then see a solicitor.

Well if there's a letter from a solicitor then I'd contact them saying you need further details as you never signed documents to transfer to your mother's sole name

First step is ordering a copy of the register and the transfer from 2009 to take a look.

If it reflects what you think it does, log it as fraud with police and land registry

I’m afraid it looks like your mother has got the Deeds changed by forging your signatures, not easy as I think that the form needs witnesses to the signatures of the people transferring or removing themselves from the house deeds. Do you think she’s been influenced by someone else, whilst you don’t want to rock the boat asking her, I think you should, you need to know.

I've downloaded the land registry and it is solely in her name as of august 2009.

Contact the HM Land Registry property fraud team if you think you're the victim of property fraud.

HM Land Registry property fraud team
[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 006 7030
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

F

You would have needed to sign to transfer into her sole name. So any “deed” transferring should have had all 3 signatures on. Instruct a solicitor.

I forget what the ID requirements were in 2009, but some proof of ID was needed.

Do you mean 'retired' to.look after her children as a SAHM?

Well she's not done a days or even half a days work since since my brother's birth in 1968 so she effectively retired at the age of 25.🤷

Personally, I would ask her for an explanation ... telling her that I plan to go down this route if there isn't a satisfactory answer/the matter isn't sorted out. Your dad would surely be turning in his grave if you don't even give your mum a chance to put this right.

Wow! Raising a family is not work now. You sound like a delightful and appreciative child.
Surely the amount of days she worked for a paid employer is between her and her late husband and none of your business.
Hopefully your own current family/friends values your unpaid work more than they do for your mother.

Oh I agree, I will be seeing the solicitors office that she used to do this before going down any other routes. I think my dad is already turning in his grave over her treatment of their dying son. She's a wicked woman and we wouldn't have even been aware of this had my brother not passed.