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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

So I applied for a copy of my mum’s will to see who she left her money to.

79 replies

CovidCorvid · 17/08/2021 18:29

Obviously I knew I was getting nothing and was curious.

Bit of background. She was a nasty narc. Physically and emotionally abusive to me and my brother. She and my dad divorced before she died, she was physically abusive to him before the divorce. He died soon after the divorce. I could write a book on the stuff she did to me. Overall very critical and interfering. Insisted on coming to my dad’s funeral even though she wasn’t welcome, told me I couldn’t stop her.

She was nasty about me and my brother to my (then) 11yo Dd and dd repeated what had been said. My brother called her (mum) out on it and she denied saying it. She said my dd was a liar and needed to be in a mental institution (I believe dd). My brother told her we were both sick of her behaviour and if she wanted a relationship with us we needed to sit down and have a talk and her behaviour needed to change. She flounced off and apart from the odd abusive letter we never heard from her again.

Six years later (end of last year) she died. I got a nasty letter from beyond the grave telling me how much she hated me, how she hopes dd will be as nasty to me as I was to her (I haven’t done anything apart from refuse to be abused any more). Letter said I was disinherited (I’d guessed as much)

So her estate was worth nearly half a million. I was curious as to who she has left money to…..I’d figured a neighbour who I knew had helped her out a bit and maybe the church.

She has split her estate into 20ths and given various people either one 20th or 2x 20ths. Mostly old family friends, so people I knew as a kid. But unless they got closer in the last six years (unlikely as geographically distant) some of them are people she’s seen about 3 or 4 times in the last 20 years and apart from exchanging Xmas cards with had no other contact.

This has pissed me off more than if she’d left all her money to the church/neighbour. I don’t know why as it would make no difference to me. I suppose I always wondered if she might leave some money to Dd or to my nephew but obviously not. Instead she left it to people she hardly knew who are wealthy baby boomers like her, but also in their 80s so effectively it’s their kids who she doesn’t know who will benefit.

I know I need to let it go. Ultimately losing my inheritance was worth the weight which has been lifted off my shoulders the last few years. I’m also pissed off as I’ve heard on the grapevine she’s spent the last few years telling all her friends and neighbours what a nasty, selfish Dd I was. In one of the letters she wrote me she said how I’d cut contact with her once she became to old to be of any use to me. The sad thing is she probably believed that….she had a weird ability to totally rewrite history and to believe her new version….a version where she was the innocent victim.

OP posts:
Supersimkin2 · 17/08/2021 23:29

You don’t deserve any of this appalling pain. Flowers

The woman and her money no longer exist. Grieve for your real mother, the one you never met.

Most of all, celebrate how good you are as a mother despite your abusive childhood and lack of parents.

Brollypackedforscottishholiday · 18/08/2021 08:04

My aunt wasn't a nice woman.. I am glad I
have no reason to be grateful to her.. She offered to buy my baby when I was pregnant very young...
She obviously had no genuine love for me that's all I meant.. Who would want cash off someone like that..?

Marmitemarinaded · 18/08/2021 08:09

@Brollypackedforscottishholiday

My aunt wasn't a nice woman.. I am glad I have no reason to be grateful to her.. She offered to buy my baby when I was pregnant very young... She obviously had no genuine love for me that's all I meant.. Who would want cash off someone like that..?
It’s how you view cash.

I would have zero issue receiving cash from a shitty relative

I would blow the lot on something indulgent ideally something they’d disapprove of
Or I’d save it
I’d do anything I’d damn well please with it

And smile to myself when I spent it. Thinking…. “Screw you!”

Marmitemarinaded · 18/08/2021 08:12

@Brollypackedforscottishholiday

My aunt wasn't a nice woman.. I am glad I have no reason to be grateful to her.. She offered to buy my baby when I was pregnant very young... She obviously had no genuine love for me that's all I meant.. Who would want cash off someone like that..?
I’d have accepted the money Kept my baby (obviously!) Spent the money on baby stuff

And when she kicked up a fuss
I’d say - tell the police that I’ve spent the money on baby items because I assumed thats that you gave it to me for. Why, did I misunderstand?

She won’t be able to do a damn thing. She won’t be able to go to police, tell friends etc, because she will come across appallingly

Win win. You get one over on her AND money to spend on your baby

WindyRose · 18/08/2021 08:16

OP I'm so sorry for you because my adoptive mother was similar, except she didn't have money and they weren't divorced, and her younger DD (my adoptive sister) not only booked the funeral to be held on my birthday but she took great delight in telling me there was 'no money for you, you don't deserve anything'. Like you, I wasn't given a copy of the will and to be totally honest was completely surprised I wasn't handed an invoice for funeral costs.

I was so certain about the invoice that I had even prepared my reply, knowing that for many years DD was 'borrowing' money from her DM's bank account as she had been given the card and PIN to buy food, chemist etc, so I'm guessing any funds had been spent anyway.

And while I didn't receive a letter from AM, one of her friends chose to send a letter outlining what a horrible daughter I had been but the funniest part was she didn't sign the letter or add a return address...but, instantly upon reading it, I recognised her turn-of-phrase. So I slept on it for a week, got her address and sent a reply with a few home truths about my suspicions of her having an affair with my adoptive father. In it, I said if I'm wrong please enlighten me...funnily enough she didn't reply. LOL

Like you, the weight was lifted from my shoulders too so I truly understand your thoughts and hope you don't beat yourself up too much...it does hurt though!

Look after yourself. Flowers

Newgirls · 18/08/2021 08:21

I reckon a fair few of those people knew exactly what she was like. Someone who doesn’t get on with their kids is probably very awkward with ‘friends’ too.

Her giving money to certain friends probably ruffled a few feathers there too. Some might have felt awkward even getting that money.

Def get counselling to process this latest ‘move’ on her part. You deserve to be able to move forward and leave it behind.

GrettaGreen · 18/08/2021 08:45

I bet the more astute people on that list knew exactly what she was doing and would have rathered nothing rather than money along with the distinct knowledge they've been unwilling roped into spiting you.

And image if you did get a full inheritance from her. The anxiety of everyone knowing you didn't speak but got all her money would have been horrendous.

I actually think the option she took was the one that showed most keenly what she was like whilst leaving you coming off relatively unscathed.

Marmitemarinaded · 18/08/2021 10:36

@GrettaGreen

I bet the more astute people on that list knew exactly what she was doing and would have rathered nothing rather than money along with the distinct knowledge they've been unwilling roped into spiting you.

And image if you did get a full inheritance from her. The anxiety of everyone knowing you didn't speak but got all her money would have been horrendous.

I actually think the option she took was the one that showed most keenly what she was like whilst leaving you coming off relatively unscathed.

Doubt it

£25-£50k each? I think they are probably rather happy

GingerBeverage · 18/08/2021 11:05

She can't hurt you anymore unless you allow it. Look at the money as her ashes, blowing away into the world. All that she accumulated was some random people.
You're free.

Laquila · 18/08/2021 11:09

@GingerBeverage

She can't hurt you anymore unless you allow it. Look at the money as her ashes, blowing away into the world. All that she accumulated was some random people. You're free.
Wise.

You could consider donating whatever you can afford to a domestic abuse charity in her name. I would find that quite cathartic, to be honest, and it gives you something to focus on that isn't purely her, IYSWIM.

OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 18/08/2021 11:35

My mother sounds like yours. She's not dead yet but has already told my brother (who is in contact with her but as little as possible) that she has disinherited me. I am fully expecting a nasty letter too. She has also apparently made me an excutor, I assume so I am forced to distribute the estate to everyone except myself. I expect she's very pleased with that wheeze.

GingerBeverage · 18/08/2021 11:46

@OrangeBlossomsinthesun

My mother sounds like yours. She's not dead yet but has already told my brother (who is in contact with her but as little as possible) that she has disinherited me. I am fully expecting a nasty letter too. She has also apparently made me an excutor, I assume so I am forced to distribute the estate to everyone except myself. I expect she's very pleased with that wheeze.
As long as you have performed no duties you can renounce being executor via a form, I believe.
mistermagpie · 18/08/2021 11:59

I'm NC with my parents and they are very rich, so I do know something of how you feel.

I don't know how you thought getting the will was ever going to make you feel better though? You knew she wasn't leaving it to you anyway and so what, really, does it matter what she did with it? I'm assuming my parents will leave everything to my (golden child) brother, but it doesn't really make any difference to me either way.

I think you need to let it go. She was horrible and she's gone now and so is her money. Try and move past this, because nothing has actually changed except you know what was written on that piece of paper. If she did it to hurt you (and this is what my mum would do tbf) then you are letting her by dwelling on it now.

OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 18/08/2021 13:29

Yes, I know. She's made my brother and I executors apparently ("so I can be made aware of what I've done" ie going NC). My brother and I get on very well so I don't mind helping him sort stuff out as an executor. She's done it to piss me off but she forgets that I don't give a shit any more.
Pretty sure there will be a poisonous diatribe waiting for me though.

Anordinarymum · 18/08/2021 13:55

After a lifetime of being treated differently to my siblings, I decided to cut off all contact before my mother could start on my children in the same way as she did to me.
She had already started being horrible to them and made the mistake of telling my auntie that her other grandchildren were her favourites.

When she died she left money to her next door neighbour and to charities and the bulk of her estate to my siblings.
She left me a pecuniary legacy of £1000.

I knew why she did that. She wanted to let anyone who cared enough know that even though I was a bad person she still found it in her heart to leave me something.
I never got the money.
I took advice and we sent my shit of a brother (her executor) a letter and he wrote back saying they had sent a cheque to my old address. This was a lie.

Realising the game was up, he quickly sent the money and I gave it to my daughter for Christmas that year.
Even from beyond the grave they still try to hurt. Well after all the hurt she caused when I was a child this last action was quite amusing

edwinbear · 18/08/2021 14:12

OP I too have a cold, spiteful narc of a mother who I've been non contact with for 5 years. This is exactly the sort of thing I expect from her. As a narc, the reason she will do this, is that she wants as many people as possible, saying lovely things about her after she's died. In her head, she imagines being this wonderful surprise benefactor, saving people from a lifetime of poverty and raising a toast to her every Christmas. It also allows as many people as possible to know how wealthy and successful she was (again in her head).

CovidCorvid · 18/08/2021 14:18

@OrangeBlossomsinthesun

Yes, I know. She's made my brother and I executors apparently ("so I can be made aware of what I've done" ie going NC). My brother and I get on very well so I don't mind helping him sort stuff out as an executor. She's done it to piss me off but she forgets that I don't give a shit any more. Pretty sure there will be a poisonous diatribe waiting for me though.
Will your brother not split any money with you?

A long time before I was cut out the will mum used to say she was leaving everything to me and cutting my brother out. I always told him (and meant it) that I’d give him half the money. He would have done the same for me I’m sure.

OP posts:
Aprilx · 18/08/2021 14:20

[quote Gooseberrypies]@Bryonyshcmyony why not? It's what she deserves.[/quote]
It doesn’t matter what she deserves, she is dead so it will make no difference except to her.

Antwerpen · 18/08/2021 14:20

Can you challenge the will OP?

LanternIsle · 18/08/2021 14:22

Corvid I don't know if you've posted before about this? On MN, you will often get the "its their inheritance to do with as they wish", but sometimes such posters don't understand the sheer obnoxious cruelty of some family members, which beggars belief.

I am an only daughter, who is NC with her narcissistic mother. Its not even the poor, neglectful parenting (not everyone is cut out to be a simple, basic, loving mother after all) but the verbal abuse I received as an adult for 50 years which I could no longer put up with. I had to put a stop for it, once and for all. A combination of her Silent Treatment and my No Contact. But being disinherited is (now) a real possibility.

My mother also a relatively significant sum to leave. Where will it go? Who knows. My view on it is:

  1. If I get an inheritance, I DESERVE it, for everything I put up with, its the least that I could get back.
  1. If I am disinherited, well that goes to show I was RIGHT!!! She was not someone to be trusted emotionally or indeed in any other way. I am glad I did not spend "x" amount of years looking after her as a "wee slavey" and putting up with abuse because she "had the power".

I am so sorry your mother did this to you. Personally, IF I felt it was relevant, I would tell or pass on to people how she really was, if it was relevant to put a few truths in the fire. We know Ns can be charming. But it would depend on lots of factors, and I would think about that one for a good while before deciding.

I am sorry you were disinherited. What a shitting thing of her to do. I am religious so I believe such people get their "karma", even if its in the "next" world.

I think it is good you had 6 years of "freedom" not pandering to her. Even if you had been the wee slavey she wanted, at the end, she may have disinherited you anyway. And meanwhile all your "life energy" would have been sucked out of you in the meantime by her abuse, manipulation and/or lies.

Sending you big hugs.

I hope you have the energy and health and material basics to live a good life now

xx

CovidCorvid · 18/08/2021 14:24

I bet the more astute people on that list knew exactly what she was doing and would have rathered nothing rather than money along with the distinct knowledge they've been unwilling roped into spiting you.

I’m not so sure…..I mean if they really felt like this they could have contacted me saying what an awful situation, we don’t feel we can have the money…we want you to have our share. But of course when faced with being given between 30k and 60k people will happily bury any such qualms and take the money!

And some of them certainly know what she’s like. She had a reputation within the church community for falling out viciously with people. She’d make friends with someone, be in their pocket for a year or so and then have a major spat. Even her neighbour said to me how “difficult” she was. One of the couples who have inherited I have known them since I was a baby. I’m slightly surprised that they will happily pocket the money but there you go. If I was in their shoes I couldn’t do it.

OP posts:
CovidCorvid · 18/08/2021 14:25

@Antwerpen

Can you challenge the will OP?
No, there’s no legal right to….she’s entitled to cut me out.
OP posts:
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 18/08/2021 14:27

Yes, my brother has always said we'll just split it anyway. We are very close.

CovidCorvid · 18/08/2021 14:33

LanternIsle. I’m sorry you’re in a similar situation. Yes the verbal and emotional abuse was worse than any neglect. I’ve posted about her many times on MN over the years. It was MUmsnetters who urged me to go NC, telling me I had to protect Dd and they were right.

I think you’re right that even if I hadn’t gone NC she may well not have left me anything. She used to play the “who am I going to leave my money to” game quite a bit when we were in contact. She often used to say she would skip me and my brother and leave money to her grandkids instead (which would have been fine).

I do feel sorry for Dd, she was close to my mum when she was young. But I think mum liked kids under the age of 10yo who didn’t really have a mind of their own. She was a good grandma to Dd and they spent a lot of time together. And I was amazed when she tried to Chuck Dd under the bus, accusing her of making stuff up, to try and save her own skin. But then on reflection I wasn’t amazed as it was the sort of person she was, I just never thought she’d be like it with Dd. Dd has long term chronic disabilities as well and is unlikely to ever be able to work full time……any inheritance would have made the world of difference for her. But not to be.

OP posts:
DGFB · 18/08/2021 14:36

I agree you should see the cash as tainted and that the will proves you were right to cut her off. She sounds awful.

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