Ask Paul: My sister conned my parents out of their house

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Dear Paul,

Five years ago, my elderly parents had to sign their house over to my sister to sort out issues with her mortgage.

They had previously built and lived in a large home together, but she then purchased a home before the other house sold and the bank assumed she owned the whole property, not half. At which point they signed it over to her.

ask paul clitheroe my sister conned my parents out of their house

She was meant to pay $20,000 off her mortgage in 12 months for it to be signed back into their names.

Five years have passed, and during that time my sister has managed to convince my parents they still own the property by showing them the deed of assignment (where they signed over their house) and telling them it was the deed to their home and, because their names were on it, it showed they still own it.

The certificate of title is in my sister's name. What can they do to get their house back?

They've told me that when they pass, I will get half of the house, but I don't think that just because it's in their will this will happen. Side note: my sister and I don't get along. - Rachel.

This is one of my first answers for 2024, Rachel, and you have not given me an easy start!

Unfortunately, family issues around money and assets are all too common, often causing much angst and many fractured relationships.

Much of the responsibility lies with us parents.

I was reading with interest in The Australian Financial Review an article on why wealth transfers fail. It included a graph, sourced from Mutual Trust, which broke down the primary reasons: 60% of all failures were due to lack of communication, 25% to a failure to prepare inheritors and 12% to a lack of shared family purpose.

The bits that so many people tell me are important - investment strategy, tax planning and all the complex stuff - cause 3% of the problems.

So, come on, parents and grandparents, get your act together while you have the capacity to do so.

Secrecy and sticking your head in the sand about how your money transitions to the next generation is a perfect formula for creating a fractured family. Discuss it before you lose the plot or die.

While I can't guarantee investment outcomes, I can guarantee we will all die!

Now, to your issue, Rachel. I have no idea why your parents did not just go guarantor for your sister's mortgage.

Given the value of property, $20,000 is not a huge amount and clearly it is causing much stress for you and possibly your parents.

If you cannot sort out this issue by meeting with your parents, you need to see a solicitor with all the information you have.

You may or may not want to take action, but the very first step is understanding your rights.

Depending on the solicitor's advice, it may be wise to then meet with your parents and the solicitor. One thing I do know is that there is often as much emotion as logic when it comes to families and money.

An independent third party, such as a solicitor, is separated from emotion and can present your parents with the facts in a neutral way.

Ask Paul: Where are they now?

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Paul Clitheroe AM is founder and editorial adviser of Money magazine. He is one of Australia's leading financial voices, responsible for bringing financial insight to Australians through personal finance books, the Money TV show, and this publication, which he established in 1999. Paul is the chair of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and is chairman of InvestSMART Financial Services. He is the chair of Financial Literacy at Macquarie University where he is also a Professor with the School of Business and Economics. Ask Paul your money question. Unfortunately Paul cannot respond to questions posted in the comments section. View our disclaimer.
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Money magazine
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February 7, 2024 4.33pm

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Stella S
February 7, 2024 4.46pm

didn't you guys just write about hidden cash? now it's family drama. this is better than jerry springer.

Marty .
February 7, 2024 7.02pm

Sister sounds like an awful human being, stealing from her parents and family like that.

Suzanne Jones
March 9, 2024 11.00am

Many families have a sibling who is a snake in the grass and mine is no exception. I have a sister who lives with my Mother and she controls my Mum. My Mum is 92 and she won't have a bad word uttered about my sister who controls when I can see my Mum and all of her decisions. Paul's advise about getting your affairs in order before you lose decision making is an important one and then ensuring that every one around knows your wishes is a good one. I will adopt that principle. I now have no idea when my Mum has or what she wants and it is too late to try and intervene, as my Mum doesn't trust anyone except my sister. A sad affair all around!