Deceitful Parent

LegacyUser

Can't go into too much details here but what can you do if you find out that your parents have been blatantly lying to my relative about certain a financial income in which my relative is entitled to half?

A while ago my dad received a sum of money in regards to our land as something was to be done to it by important people. He also agreed with the people who paid him that they would fix stuff for us as well. My relative owns half of the land. He has a joint account with my dad in which this sum of money was paid into. The note on the letter explained and said it was made payable to my relative and my dad as per the name of the joint account.

Now I was talking to my relative very recently regarding this and he has received no money, and he was apparently told something else by my dad - that the people were to do a certain thing to our land and in return they would fix certain things on our land as payment. There was no mention of money to him.

My relative is a bit eccentric and doesn't access the joint account at all. My dad seems to have control of all that. The fact that he doesn't know about the income and expenses of the account concerns me because I want to see him looked after and get what he is entitled to. He was also told the account hasn't been used in years.

What can I do to help my relative ensure he gets what he is owed? I personally think he needs to get his access to the joint account, statements and possibly a solicitor. Give me your thoughts on the matter if it makes sense. Thanks

Tokyo

Have you spoken to your father about this, and if so, what has he said? This would be my first port of call. Is it possible that there might be other factors at play here - for example, if your relative is 'eccentric' as you say, is it possible that your father legally has control over all assets and accounts involved here, and appeases said relative now and again with a story? I've seen examples of this in my own family.

Talk to your family first, before considering other options - only they can tell you the truth of the situation. But as it stands, the sums of money that you are alluding to would be substantial, and if there isn't a legitimate explanation, then a serious crime is being committed...

LegacyUser

Thanks for the reply. Basically my relative has psychological issues but seems to have been deemed fit to make decisions. My relative signed the contract that work was to be done (Which leads me to believe he is of sound mind) and he thought that was all of it. My dad did not mention the money to him therefore my relative did not know of it. This was done approx 2 years ago. Every payment for the land was been made out to my relative and dads name. My relative should be able to access the account if he had ID and account number but he hasn't got the account number yet.

I haven't spoken to my Dad about it, he's the kind of person who would deny it to your face, bring up health reasons and other stuff to make my relative feel sorry for him. What I am saying there is no point talking to him directly about it. My Dad does not have legal control over all the assets, the land is split down the middle. My dad also has the best land in regards to access to the road...therefore best for building so it's worth more.

My dad had to fill out a form regarding a medical card and had to put down the payment. He only put down half the money because he said the other half was my relatives. Since my relative has no recollection of receiving this money he is concerned. My relative is not in a good homing situation at the moment and does not have the money to move. My dad knows this and makes him stay there. There is other options my dad could help my uncle out easily with regarding homing but refuses.

My relative this going to a solicitor tomorrow with an original supporting document saying money was paid to him and my dad which was supplied by me. I'm not going to get involved any more, I only want to look after the welfare of my uncle as his homing situation is doing more harm than good in my opinion.

Matteroffact

I would discuss this with your dad and just inform him that if he is not paying this relative now that he will owe him a substantial amount when all of this comes to light, which it will at some stage. He is only building up trouble for himself.

LegacyUser

He went to the solicitors yesterday and was told to get access to the joint bank account and get the statements for as long back as he can and transfer the remaining money to another account. Since the money was made out to himself and my Dad then it should show up on the statements. There was also other farm income he was entitled to but never received.

There are other factors at play here as well that caused my relative to question his trust in my Dad.

tenifan

Doesn't sound like any of your business really.
No good deed goes unpunished, so my advice to you is to keep out of it.

LegacyUser

Well if my relative needs help to get situated and homed in a reasonable environment I will give it. I'm not going to stand back and see him get robbed of what is rightfully his. I'm not getting involved any more than I have to as the solicitors will take it from here anyways.

Dellnum

I would be very discreet in telling this relative what you know. You don't know the ins and outs of why your Dad is behaving like this, he could have valid reasons. I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.

maryk123

I would stay out of it. It's nothing to do with you. This will not end well.

vetinari

I'd agree with being discreet. No need to provoke open warfare with your own dad.
The people telling you stay out of it, I honestly don't know what to say!
There's a probable chance your dad is swindling his brother (presuming uncle on that side) out of significant money!!
Money that your uncle could really use.

I personally couldn't ignore that. What you've done so far is perfect. The solicitor should be able to help your uncle glean information about the bank account. It'll be easy to figure out if your uncle has withdrawn money from the account.