Why do the elderly people in my area complain all the time I am not entitled to the house I inherited from my parents?.

Just ignore 'em.

There was an almost identical problem posted not long ago. In that case I think the general concensus was to either take out a Notice in the local paper or inform the police, giving as many names as possible.

HunterF It is very difficult. Has this woman actually seen the evidence about the previous ownership arrangements for the property?

You could try and check again for yourself that there is absolutely no chance at all of this woman having any such legal claim to the property and get written evidence.

Then if she persists in spreading rumours about you could call her bluff and suggest to her and to those who collar you in street, that if she really thinks she is entitled she should make a proper legal claim.

Do get some further advice about her position though.

My nasty suspicious mind leaves me wondering if this is something she has tried before, I have heard of such things, but that is idle speculation.

Here's a link to the other thread.

www.gransnet.com/forums/legal/1193851-Can-I-stop-people-pestering-me-about-my-fathers-estate

What a horrid situation for you. I certainly think that you might be well advised to consult a solicitor - they usually offer a first short consultation free. Once you feel yourself on firm ground both legally and morally, you may find it easier to ignore or challenge the nasty comments.

My husband lost all his family inheritance when his stepmother (left everything by OHs father), then left the whole lot to her own children and nothing to OH or his brother. Needless to say, he has never spoken to his stepsister since.

It makes me very sad to realise that there are nasty, greedy, grasping women out there who feel no shame in targetting elderley widowers with property. Greed is indeed a deadly sin.

Hi Nelliemoser

I know Dad had a photocopy of the land certificate in his wardrobe which stated I owned the house in equal shares and she does know I paid to have the house re wired and to have a new kitchen fitted.
Another incident which upset her was my father and myself wanted a new shower room but she wanted us to have a bath room.
I did leave it for about a month and then the split happened and about 3 months later we had a new shower room.
I know she has no claim as she never cared for Dad and she never stayed overnight in the house.

Ana

Your link describes a situation very similar to mine except the lady owned a flat.
I do not know where these people think I should live.

i would just take no notice its yours xx

So they never lived as man and wife....she has no claim whatsoever. It's your house. Ignore them. It will be a nine day wonder....those people will find something/someone else to annoy and insult.

To be honest I do wonder why she stayed with Dad when he said I owned half the house and there was no chance of her family getting any money.

A remark I did have was I must have been after the money as I was seen going into Dad's bank only 3 days after his death.

I really went in with the death certificate to stop his account.

I got on with the probate straight away as delaying this would not bring Dad back and he allways wanted me and his grandchildren to have his estate.

Weird

It makes you wonder what stories this woman has been spreading. It's a very difficult situation for you to be in, HUNTERF - it would seem all you can do is sit it out. Good luck!

When you said she never stayed overnight I was flummoxed. I cannot think why she could imagine she had any claim at all. It is difficult to deal with total illogicality, isn't it?

I wish you all the best. My own method would be to have a little paper typed out, saying: "I live in my family home which was willed to me by my father. Ms X has never lived there and has never had any claim to the house, either legally or morally. Please mind your own business and stop this slander or I will seek legal advice."

I think she must have told the old so and sos a lot of lies.

I wouldn't do anything at all. The woman is clearly deluded. It isn't even worth using up a moment of your time to think about.

I agree with Grandola and this is almost certainly the best attitude to have. It is just that I always want the last word in any dispute!!! Not a good trait, but very real.

Hi Mrs JamJam

I must say I do not intend to get married again.
I have a very good relationship with both my daughters, in laws, and my grandchildren so I feel there would be nothing to gain and if I did it would cause problems to the family.
I just think it is totally unfair for the children to lose one of their parents so early and to lose their inheritance as well. Also to some extent it is unfair my grandchildren only have 3 grandparents.
The other thing which is wrong is the mortgage on my parents house was mainly paid for from the proceeds of the sale of both their parents houses when they passed away.
I am sure they wanted what was in effect their money to stay within the family.

Ana I also remember reading the exact same thread some time ago.

HUNTERF The answer to the question as you have posted it is probably because they are silly, interfering old busybodies who have nothing better to occupy their time. Ignore them.

Hi absentgrana

Obviously I am not the only one with this prpblem.
I hope I never become one of those ''silly, interfering old busybodies who have nothing better to occupy their time.
Problems could have happened if I had not been living in the house and Dad had took her in without me knowing.
I am not sure if she would have got any rights to occupy it over time or if I would have been able to wait for her to go out when my father passes away and just change the locks regardless of the fact she may have nowhere to live.
Even when I lived away I allways had the keys to my parents house and I was a half owner from the date my mother passed away.

Ah, but the problems didn't happen and you were living in the house HUNTERF and you did already own half of it to which she would never have had any claim. Thank goodness for all that. And it seems extremely unlikely that you will become a silly interfering old busybody.

From what you say she has no claim on the house at all so I would just ignore what people are saying - it will pass and they will find something else to talk about

It's horrible when someone dies how some people think only of what they can get out of it. I had a problem with one of my sisters-in-law when my husband died. Within days she had gone into his shed and helped herself to various tools and other items. When she came back for another "raid" her older brother stopped her taking more stuff.

She has since said to me that my husband had told her she could have the computer as I now use my laptop most of the time and some silver I have on display. Whilst he was generous to a fault I know this can't be the case because my husband could barely turn on the computer so it was always considered to be mine. As for the silver, these were items which were given to my parents on their silver wedding anniversary so there is no way he would have said she could have them.

Hi Barrow

I could see a problem like yours happening if the offspring had lived away from the parents home and was unsure what belonged to the parent.
This lady did not try to claim anything inside the house.
The only items I am not sure who paid for was a bird bath and 2 of the roses in the garden.
I do know my mother's jewellry and the silver so there was no point her trying to claim that.

Hunterf, she has neither legal nor moral claim to your property, so do your best to ignore the silly, spiteful woman. Having right on your side is a good feeling.

Give her the bird bath and the roses. Smile sweetly and say your dad told you he wanted her to have these to remember him by.

If she says you are fibbing, ask her how she could know that, as she did not live in the house and you had many conversations with him when she was not there about what he wanted - and his will was already made for the BIG items, like the house, which was already half yours anyway.

Remind her (and anyone else who slanders you) that a will is a public document, and its terms, and date, are available to any lawyer she cares to appoint.

Take no notice of this woman, she is obviously a golddigger. If she wasn't married to him or named in a will, she has no claim-what a cheek-rise above it.