We gave my sister money to renovate her house so that mom could live there, but she was evicted after 3 months and my sister used the money to pay her bills. How can we get our money back?

Six out of seven kids that actually care about their mom's welfare sounds pretty darn good to me. It sounds like you're all doing the best you can and are of the same mind, so just keep up doing what you're doing I guess. But I would count the money your sister owes the family as gone. I know it's a bummer and not right, but trying to get it back may be more trouble then it's worth. If your mom finds out about the money and sees all the conflict it's causing with her kids, it may cause her more grief and just not be worth it.

How very, very sad!

There have been a couple of very high profile fraud cases in our state this past year, involving millions of dollars. Many small investors had their entire life savings wiped out. Fraud is theft. Theft victims don't always get their money or their possessions back. Sad.

You have a lawyer you trust. If there is a way to get some of your mother's mispent money back, or money returned to you siblings, he should know how to go about it.

It is amazing that of 7 kids all raised by the same parents, 6 are willing to contribute to the comfort of their mother by paying for renovations and 1 is willing to take financial advantage of the entire family.

Be thankful that this came to a head before more damage was done to your mother, psycologically as well as financially. Where is your mother living now?

thanks for your response, jeannegibbs...it has been a roller coaster for sure but my Mom is doing well....in fact, she is vacationing with my 3 brothers for the summer who live in a different province...she's having a blast...in fact, although my sister tried t have her delcared incompetent, the doctor at first agreed then recanted when he saw her a few months later(after living with my other sister who has taken amazing care of her)..Older sister tried to tell us that our Mom is severely demented and is spiralling quickly...oh the drama! we had her eharing checked(an app't older sister cancelled) and it turns out she has hearing loss...good news is that she now has a hearing aid and her whole demeanor has changed....she's bright, smiling and happy and fully aware of everything!

Aside from the money, this story has a happy ending! Good luck on the money -- and celebrate the more important vicory.

You may want to just kiss the money goodbye. To collect, I believe you would have to take your sister to court. If this is the case the only ones who come out ahead will be the attorneys. It will most likely cost you moe than the 5k already lost. This sad story has a happy ending. The 6 of you should focus on Mom and make sure her final years are the very best they can be. Good luck to all of you and may God bless.

Thank you for your responses coach and agecare222. We figure we may not see our investment in the renovations but we are willing to fight for the money older sister has taken from mom's account over the last seven years...and it's alot!!!! Then, Mom can use it for herself! We told her that at 83 years of age, she has a new job...to spend her money on herself. And coach, you are so right when you say to "focus on Mom". We are doing just that and she is happy!

Contact your local department of aging and protective services. They will investigate for free on behalf of financial explitation of your mom. Just had them do this with my sister and my mom got her money back. It is worth the phone call to them to see if you have a case. They look through all the bank statments and whatever your sister used the money for. She will have to account for it all. Please don't hesistate as it really does work and don't let you sister take advantage of your mom.

Can a lien be put on your sister's house until the debt is repaid?

Oh my goodness, italianbabs! that is exactly what we are doing! :) we are working with a wonderful lady who calls herself a "pitbull" for elders rights and she has been awesome! we have also obtained seven years of bank records and will be pouring over them this weekend. The elder abuse team has only seen one year(last year) so far and they said "theft" right away. After all, my 83 year old, Italian speaking Mom doesn't do internet banking, email money transfers and withdrawals of up to 500.00 at a time...I'll will keep you updated on our progress! thank you so much for your response. It's a great comfort!

MESS:

Take her to Judge J---. Knowing she's going to appear in court -- and TV -- might scare her enough to return the money she had no business spending.

Keep us posted. ... Inquiring minds want to know.

-- Ed