Since our teens my sister and I have been on equitable terms. Helping each other out when needed. I felt that I was lucky to have this relationship with her.
She and I have joint power of attorney.
Just after we moved here I sent her a card inviting her and husband over. I had no response. I emailed several weeks later and enquired if I had offended her and offering apologies if I had. An email came back saying that no I had not offended her.
A couple of months later during a conversation with my mother it became evident that sister had persuaded mother to invest most of her savings in a property in Suffolk at a time when house prices were crashing as was the economy. We know this because it was about the same time as Mr C was selling his house in Hampshire.
The property was jointly owned by my mother and my sisters daughter. There was a 77k mortgage on the property which my niece was to pay this equated to about £300.00 per month. Very cheap living accommodation for a 25 year old serving army officer.
My mother then 'invested a further 22k to refurbish the property, sister and Brother in Law contributed a further 11k. This on a three bedroomed end of terraced house purchased for 125k. It was obviously refurbed to a personal standard too high for the area.
All in all this took the house cost up to about 160k
Niece decides to leave army. The house is put on the market and the asking price is 145k.
My mother is in her late 70's her health whilst not dreadful is not good, she has two operations in the offing she may need care but her money is tied up in a useless investment which should never have been made.
I am in an absolute fury with my sister.