A few years ago, there was still around 120,000 euros in the mother\u2019s savings account. The estate inventory now lists 4,300 euros. In between lie the years during which the sister handled the banking affairs under a power of attorney, as the mother was no longer able to do so herself. When asked, she stated that the money had simply been needed for the mother\u2019s needs, and that there were no supporting documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When faced with figures like these, many people are quick to suspect fraud. Sometimes the suspicion is justified. Often, however, a long period of end-of-life care, with care home costs and an increasing need for assistance with daily living, has simply cost more money than most relatives realise. It is possible to establish which of the two stories is true. For those entitled to a compulsory share of the estate, however, the process involves different authorities than most people expect. One of these has a deadline that is easily overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different rules apply to money withdrawn from an account after death than to withdrawals and transfers made whilst the account holder is still alive. A separate article on Statutory share in respect of life insurance, bank accounts and investment accounts<\/a> she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n