'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'."

"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."

A sister who lives closest to the mother assumed day-to-day caregiving after the father's death. The caregiving sister transferred the late father's car into her own name. A sibling living abroad is worried that the vehicle transfer could indicate wider misuse of family assets or overreach by the local sister. Living abroad limits direct oversight and complicates checking consent and legal authority. Key concerns include whether the mother consented, whether any power of attorney or estate administration authorises the transfer, and the possibility of financial abuse. Recommended immediate steps are to confirm ownership records, speak with the mother, and seek local legal or safeguarding advice.

Read at Independent