What Difference Does It Make Who Took Care of Gran? Legally, the Flat Is Mine! – A Dispute Between My Mother and Me.

It doesnt matter who has been caring for Nana the flat legally belongs to me! my mother argues with me.

My own mother threatens me with a court case. Why? Because my grandmothers flat never belonged to her or to me; it actually passed to my daughter. Margaret thinks thats terribly unfair. She believes the flat should have gone to her, but Edith decided otherwise. She probably did so because James and I have been living with her and looking after her for the past five years.

Margaret is plainly selfish. Her own wishes have always outweighed anyone elses needs. She has been married three times but has only two children: me and my younger sister, Lucy. Lucy and I get along well, but we no longer have a close relationship with our mother.

I can barely remember my father. He divorced Margaret when I was two. Until I was six, I lived with Margaret at Ediths house. For some reason I found Ediths home very uncomfortable, probably because Margaret was constantly weeping. It wasnt until I grew up that I realised how kind Edith really was; she only wanted her daughter to become independent.

When Margaret married for the second time, we moved in with my stepfather, Tom. Lucy was born during that marriage. Margaret lived with Tom for seven years before she divorced him. This time we didnt go back to Edith. Tom took a job elsewhere and let us stay in his flat temporarily. Three years later Margaret remarried, and we moved into the new husbands house.

Naturally he wasnt thrilled about inheriting children, but he never hurt us. He simply ignored us, and Margaret was absorbed in her new marriage. She was constantly jealous of him and made scenes that ended with shattered crockery.

Once a month Margaret would start packing, but Tom always stopped her. Lucy and I got used to it and stopped paying attention to her antics. I looked after Lucys upbringing because Margaret had no time. It helped that we had great grandmothers; they supported us a lot. I later moved into a student hall, while Lucy stayed with Edith. My fathers side of the family helped regularly, and Margaret only called us during the holidays.

I accepted Margaret for who she was; I was used to her neglecting us and not worrying about us. Lucy, however, could not stand it. She took everything to heart, especially the time Margaret missed her graduation ceremony.

We grew up. Lucy married and moved to Birmingham with her husband. James and I have no rush to marry, even though weve been together for years. We share a rented flat in London. I still visit Edith often; were very close, but I try not to intrude.

Then Edith falls ill and is admitted to the hospital. The doctors tell me she needs good care, so I start visiting daily. I bring groceries, cook, tidy, or simply sit and chat, and I make sure she takes her medication on time. I keep this up for six months, sometimes with James helping fixing things, clearing out rooms. Eventually Edith suggests that we move in with her so we can save for our own place and avoid paying rent.

We agree without hesitation. Edith and I have a solid bond, and she likes James a lot. We move in, and six months later I discover Im pregnant. We decide to keep the baby, and Edith is overjoyed at the prospect of a greatgrandchild. We have a small wedding ceremony and celebrate with relatives at a local café. Margaret never shows up and doesnt even call to congratulate us.

When my daughter, Willow, is two months old, Edith suffers a fall and breaks her leg. Juggling a newborn and caring for Edith becomes overwhelming. I call Margaret for help, but she declines, saying she feels unwell and will come later. She never keeps that promise.

Six months after the fracture, Edith suffers a stroke and ends up bedridden. Looking after her is almost impossible without James; I dont know how I would survive otherwise. After the stroke, Edith slowly regains speech, can sit up and eat. She lives another two and a half years, watching her greatgranddaughter take her first steps. She passes away quietly in her sleep. James and I are devastated; we loved Edith dearly and miss her terribly.

Margaret only attends the funeral. A month later she returns, demanding the flat for herself, convinced she has a right to it. What Margaret doesnt know is that Edith transferred the property to me immediately after Willows birth, so there is nothing for her to claim.

That infuriates Margaret. She demands I hand over the flat or she will sue. How sly you are! You stole the house from the old lady and now live in it yourself! It doesnt matter who cared for Nana! The flat should be mine! she snarls.

I am certain Margaret will not get the flat. I have consulted a solicitor and a solicitornotary. We will remain in the house that Edith gifted us, and if our second child turns out to be a girl, we will certainly name her after Edith.