I have been living with and been carer for my mum for past 6 years, she had dementia and was bed-bound. Had to give up work
I never applied for power of attorney as I have managed to overcome all obsticles when needed.
Mum unfortunately recently passed away
Mum made a will many years ago, I have no argument with it, leaves me a share of house with other family and am allowed to live in property as long as I want so no-one can insist on selling the property. Any cash left over bank accounts, shares etc will be distributed to mum's niece and her family (no cash direct to immediate family but that's ok with me too it was her wishes)
However while she was alive I ran the household budget like a married couple, we pooled together the income, carers allowance, attendance allowance and state pension. The attendance allowance and state pension went into a post office account just in mum's name and I was able to withdraw against it each week with card and pin which along with my money paid the bills.
My question is can I still withdraw money from that account say up to the balance at date of death (I would not touch anything that comes in after date of death) for weekly bills? It was never a savings account but I only withdrew what was necessary for gas. electric, insurances so there is over £1000 in there now ( we were never extravagant, no holidays or expensive clothes or anything).
I don't want to appear selfish, to me that money was my mum's and my living expenses. If we had a crystal ball I would have drawn all the money out each week but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
If the account was joint then no problem, but it is just in mum's name so I don't know where I stand morally or even legally.
I never applied for power of attorney as I have managed to overcome all obsticles when needed.
Mum unfortunately recently passed away
Mum made a will many years ago, I have no argument with it, leaves me a share of house with other family and am allowed to live in property as long as I want so no-one can insist on selling the property. Any cash left over bank accounts, shares etc will be distributed to mum's niece and her family (no cash direct to immediate family but that's ok with me too it was her wishes)
However while she was alive I ran the household budget like a married couple, we pooled together the income, carers allowance, attendance allowance and state pension. The attendance allowance and state pension went into a post office account just in mum's name and I was able to withdraw against it each week with card and pin which along with my money paid the bills.
My question is can I still withdraw money from that account say up to the balance at date of death (I would not touch anything that comes in after date of death) for weekly bills? It was never a savings account but I only withdrew what was necessary for gas. electric, insurances so there is over £1000 in there now ( we were never extravagant, no holidays or expensive clothes or anything).
I don't want to appear selfish, to me that money was my mum's and my living expenses. If we had a crystal ball I would have drawn all the money out each week but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
If the account was joint then no problem, but it is just in mum's name so I don't know where I stand morally or even legally.