What can I do if I find out that my sister has used my deceased mother’s bank account for personal bills for herself and her son?

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What can I do if I find out that my sister has used my deceased mother’s bank account for personal bills for herself and her son?

We just closed the account last weekend and when I got a printout of the past 6 months of transactions (the amount of time mom has been gone) $20K is gone from her account. I suspect some charges were legitimate to pay mom’s bills but many were paying her own personal bills and her son’s bills. If I were to press charges against my sister, could she get into really bad legal trouble, besides the obvious – forgery?

Asked on August 26, 2012 under Estate Planning, Texas

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

I can see from the way that you have phrased the question that you are worried about your sister.  Yes, she could get in to trouble.  Stealing that much money would elevate the charges against her.  Who is the Persoanl representative of her estate?  If you do not wish to press charges you should discuss a resolution such as off setting the money against her inheritance and paying back what she can.  Good luck.


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