Devious SIL or....AIBU

Your husband does need to inform the bank because if there is any suggestion that he had knowledge of the fraud then he will be in trouble!! Your FIL is being deprived of his own money! This is pretty serious stuff and you DH needs to get his head out ogmf the sand. Difficult for you and him but very necessary

Is your FIL still alive - from your post it sounded as though he is, and it is him being deprived of the money in your MIL’s account. What does he say?

I agree with others, I would just notify the Bank and forget about the jewellery.

i would be right down the bank its fraudulent to use someones account in the event of their death

My advice would be to not make a fuss about the jewellery - these things happen, it causes upsets in families, but the main thing is the possible fraud and the fact that she may have coerced your FIL into making a new will benefiting her. Is your FIL of sound mind?

The bank should be informed of the death. May be she is unaware of that fact. Your husband should take the death certificate to the bank at once.

I disagree with the posters who say this is your husband's concern.
It is, of course, his concern, but he needs to be more proactive and do something about his sister's actions and possible fraud. The bank will not discuss anything with Sheian anyway, but perhaps she could persuade her DH to phone them and let them know of the situation.

Forgot to add the banks enquiries may include your DH and yourself. If they think you had knowledge of the situation they may consider you to be complicit to the fraud.

Sorry, not a nice situation to be in.

I think you should notify the bank of the date of your MIL's death and say simply that you happened to see a bank statement and noticed there have been withdrawals using her bank card since that date. Whether you tell them your SIL is involved is up to you. They will do their own investigations and may take legal action against her. The longer she continues to use the account the worse it could be for her.

The solicitor should have ensured it was your FiL's wishes that were being recorded in the new will, not SiL's. When I went with Mum to get her will reviewed and amended the solicitor was very careful to ensure Mum spoke not me. I agree that bank account should be closed and that your SiL shouldn't be using it for her own spending!

You must inform the bank and solicitor, this is a criminal act by your SIL.

Was your husband not the executor of the will also?
If there is just the two children he should have stepped in before all this commotion
My Parents passed with in a year of each other and the two eldest children were executors
He needs to step up before it is too late

If your dh does not want to talk to bank to tell them his dm has died then You should do so including telling them the date of death. If your sil has been dipping into this money then she will have to explain why and for what purpose to the bank. If she has taken money for holidays and beauty treatments for herself then this theft. Who is the executive to you mil will? You could inform them what has been happening. I know this is your husbands sister but really she has not been behaving well as the money should have gone to her dh as per her will.

Have a look at this helpful and clear article Sheian57

www.bankrate.com/uk/current-accounts/what-happens-to-your-bank-account-when-you-die/

There's only one thing I'd be doing today if I were you and that would be alerting the relevant bank with the facts. Leave them to deal thereafter. I disagree with the posters who say this is your husband's concern. Oh no, not when your daughter is involved. Good luck.

some helpful info here:-
www.thebalance.com/power-of-attorney-duties-3974714

www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once?step-by-step-nav=4f1fe77d-f43b-4581-baf9-e2600e2a2b7a

This might catch up with her at some point. If she's had a pension paid into the account which suddenly stops that may raise a red flag. I think it's very important that the bank is notified. You need to press your DH to ensure this happens, even if it just to protect himself from any risk of being accused of collusion if any legal issues arise.

The love of money is the root of all evil. If the bank account is being used as you suspect it is fraud - pure and simple. Inform the bank with as much information as you are able to provide - name, address of deceased account holder and the person who is fraudulently using the account etc and let the bank deal with it. Good luck

Apart from the moral issues here, there is a legal obligation to inform the bank. If your SIL is drawing money from the account then there may not be any left eventually for Dad. Speak to a solicitor.

I would inform the bank of your MIL's death (you'll need a Death Certificate) because they should have been informed and anyone drawing funds is acting illegally. You don't have to say anything to the bank about your SIL. Leave the other matters to your husband and just forget about the jewellery, which is trivial.

I feel very strongly about such matters. Unless it is a joint account taking money out of it is a criminal offence - theft! The bank should be informed and The account should be frozen until probate is granted. If it was me I would be informing the bank ASAP.

Squabbles after death certainly seems to show the greed and nature of some people.

If it's your SiL's mum then it's not your business. Hand the responsibility over to your DH, it's his family.

why do people do this? so many reasons why, greed,hurt,or just bad people.My ex SIL put the house she lived in till her mum was put in a nursing home in her name without consulting anyone, denying my sons or their mother any inheritance. apparantly my ex is going to contest it at some point. the family was a relatively friendly one! this area is such a sad reflection of the dark side of human nature.

I’d be inclined to speak to the bank plus get legal advise ASAP, so many people are greedy and deceptive where Wills are concerned.

I’m sure it is illegal to withdraw funds from a bank account, knowing the account holder is deceased, even if the person withdrawing the funds had power of attorney.
Perhaps you could tell your SiL this and point out that she might be prosecuted once the bank finds out, as they will eventually.

I think.....that wills cause more problems within families than anything else and are not worth getting yourself worked up about.