EPOA

[foxbat22]

My wifes step mother died in February of this year. My wifes sister held POA for her step mother. We have requested to see all bank statements from the POA current account's and a list of all other personnel items left. A form we had for the release of funds from the POA accounts came from the Nat west Bank and was signed by my wife's sister and her other brother who is also an executor of the Step mothers Will. ( My wife is the 3rd executor of the Will ). We believe that the amount shown on the Form from the bank and what we know the step mother was roughly worth don't add up. Is this a job for the police as possible fraud may have taken place. We are holding back on signing the release form from the Bank.

[bednobs]

have you spoken to the sister in law? if she had poa she may have spent money on behalf of the mother and may have some idea if the amount it right or not. Have to ask though - do you believe it to be a huge discrepancy? How would you know how much the step mum was worth anyway?

[foxbat22]

The step mothers house was sold 5 years ago, and the step mum went to live with sister. We are aware during her time items were purchased for her , via other family members telling us. We have put a letter to the Sister requesting doc's etc, as she will not speak to us direct. confirmation of amount of money unaccountable also confirmed by family member. hop this helps

[bednobs]

not really, still don't get how you think you know what the stepmum was worth - do you believe it to be a large discrepancy?

[foxbat22]

The house was sold for over £250,000,plus the step mothers own money etc, then add her state pension over 5 years,take away help towards up keep etc, and we are left with ball park sum of less than £20,000

[Barmaid]

Your wife, as an executor is entitled to see the accounts. ALL of the accounts. Thus your wife can request the attorney's accounts from her sister and copies of the banking records. As an attorney, the sister was also required to keep accounts of her spending.

At this stage it is too early to go to the police, you need to see the accounts first.

[foxbat22]

Thank you Bar maid, what if she will not give us access to accounts , even when requested twice?

[bednobs]

gotcha, that makes more sense

[tonywiltshire]

You are finding out that a death in a family can bring out the best and worse bahaviour. Executors have a very important role they are responsible for ensuring the assets of the estate are paid to the correct beneficiaries, to carry out their duty they must, as barmaid says, have free access to all accounts and records. If you have a solicitor ask them to contact the co-executors to remind them of this and that the executor can be held liable for any mismanagement.
The police will not be interested at this stage, as they will inform you it is civil law.