‘I think my sister is taking advantage of our recently widowed mother. How do I protect the family assets?’

‘I think my sister is taking advantage of our recently widowed mother. How do I protect the family assets?’

‘My sister has taken on the role of helping Mam day to day – I live abroad. She transferred Dad’s car into her own name and I worry this could be the start of a bigger problem’

Mary Frances says, 'People can be very resentful of family members who live away giving orders and directions to those who are in a caring role at home'. Photo: Brian Farrell

Query: Dear Mary Frances, I live abroad but love reading your pieces online, and I’m hoping you can advise me on a delicate family situation that is becoming more worrying.

When our father died my sister, who lives closest to our mother, took up the role of helping her day to day.