Six years ago I inherited a really nice mobile home.It needed a little work,so I fixed it up and had my elderly mother move into. She lived there for five years. I maintained it and also took care of my mother. I had my own home close by. Mom's was like a second home. The MH was an investment for the future. A few months ago my brother took my mom to live with him and wife. Brother and I had a fallout after I found out he had called Adult Protective Services before he took mom. I don't know why he didn't just confront me if he thought I wasn't taking care of mom right. I'm easy going and receptive, so I don't know. They never contacted me. My brother was pushy and wanted access to mom's bank accounts and all. He had plans that were hidden from me. I felt he and mom were pushing me away. Mom was letting him take over everything I did for her. In the meantime, the MH is sitting there because the park didn't allow renters. Brother is isolating mom from me and the friction picks up between him and I. I refused to abide with everything he was asking because I just didn't feel right. I sort of felt abandoned. The next thing I know is brother changed locks on MH. He had the right because I titled it in mom's name and he and I both have POA. l have zero ownership unless mom dies even though I am a registered owner. I should have titled it joint owners, then if sold I'd at least get my 1/2 portion, better than nothing. But I didn't. I added myself as Transfer on Death, meaning if it's sold, I get nothing, my mother gets the whole check. In turn, brother opened a new account and he is sole beneficiary. He will put the money in that account. I'm basically out of luck and feel ripped off. I'm out the 40K profit and conniving brother gets it. I have little retirement savings left and I need the money. I can't believe one simple little thing like that could cost me everything. I was blindsided with all of this. I know there's no way he will give me 1/2 of sale price. People get vicious when it comes to money. I've called around for some legal advice, but it sounds like there is nothing I can do. Mom never calls anymore. We were close all our lives. Don't think she cares anymore. Feeling lonely and sad. had to vent.
Hey thanks for communicating. I sure do appreciate it. You are right that this stuff happens to so many families. I'm not proud to say it, but unfortunately mom is the person who could never mediate between my brother and I when we were younger. When we were growing up he used to antagonize me and when I reacted, my mother would holler at me. Thinking back he was sneaky. People don't change. There's an inner core. I have a lawyer who is now reviewing documents to see if there's anything that can be done about the sale. My brother is so eager to get a hold of money he doesn't deserve or didn't make. On his 5th wife. Tell you something? I did manage to transfer a large sum from mom's account over into another custodial account when the gut feeling hit that he was headed to the bank! Sure enough, he did and was livid when the money was missing! Of course, mom's with him and she's raging mad at me too, because she just can't believe that I'd "steal" her money (that I've managed for 10 years!). So brother immediately called APS as more evidence I was an abuser! lol I never did turn over my mother's money to my brother as many times as APS called me. I was in the right, and I wasn't about to transfer money to someone who I could already prove was a fraud and in violation of his duty as POA. I find it so hard to find a lawyer than really hears me out. I cannot believe, after knowing all circumstances of this situation, there isn't something that can be done. Of course, he'll say the money will be in my mother's account, but if she passes he is the beneficiary! Something wrong with picture! lol!
To be honest, I cannot remember why I chose to put myself as "Transfer on Death" and not Joint Ownership. I can't believe I was that stupid then not to know the difference, but I never thought twice about it. I recall several titling issues – it was the MH from hell! Maybe I was just relieved to get it titled. On the other hand, I really didn’t see a problem.
I’ve taken care of mom for the last 5 years with no help from anyone. I’ve done a hell of a lot for her. took care of her after a stroke 24/7 without help from anyone. Ended up divorced with financial problems while attending to mom and couldn’t sustain a full time decent paying job while on call all the time. She made it very difficult for me. It wasn’t easy and I sacrificed a lot. Brother is a self-centered, deadbeat do-nothing person, always has been. It’s ironic how I handed the robbers the key. I did all the work while they enriched themselves and kicked me to curb. I think it is just fate.