Sister’s inheritance stolen from mother’s estate

In a recent case heard at York Crown Court, a woman stole her sister's £50,000 inheritance by moving money out of their mother's bank account over a period of six years before she died. She is currently waiting to be sentenced for theft, and has been ordered to repay the money within six months.

However, her sister Elaine will never receive the money as she too has died so the repayment will go to her husband.

The mother, Betty, had intended her estate to be divided equally between her three daughters, but one of them, Maxine, used a power of attorney obtained in 2007 to move money into her own account. By the time her mother died, she had taken so much that the account was nearly empty.

The third sister, Gillian, was also charged with theft, but was later let off. She appeared to have received all the money she would have got under her mother’s Will.

At the hearing, the Judge warned Maxine that even if she repays all the money, she could still go to prison.

If you’d like information about any form of Will or probate dispute, please contact Phoebe Tranter at Lawson-West on 01858 445 480.

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