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Hi Guys
Hope all are well.
Conundrum that I need help with.
in 1980 my neighbour Geoff started a business, his friend elderly Daisy gave him 15k to get going. He visited her once a month to repay her 100 as agreed. all was great, then she became ill and moved into a council home, she had about 30k he thinks. He carried on visiting and paid his 100. However Daisy had a daughter (Mandy) who also visited and made herself known to Geoff. They visited sometimes at the same time and the money came up as a discussion between the three parties. Daisy gave Geoff another 3k and asked him to put it in a building Society account for her 3 great Grandchildren to get when she died. Geoff obviously queried this and Daisy said that even if she put it on her will, Mandy is on benefits and would spend it, they would get nothing. Geoff did as he was asked. Mandy moved Daisy to a state funded home and told Geoff she was not well enough to receive visitors, he was to give her repayments and she would pass this onto Daisy, Geoff had no reason to doubt Mandy so he did so. Mandy informed Geoff that Daisy had died.(Geoff was not invited to the burial, he has not seen a death certificate or any probate papers and was only informed after when he dropped off money to Mandy) Geoff said their was about 10k owing to Daisy and 3k plus interest in B/S account for great g/children. Mandy said she would prefer to continue with the original arrangement and the B/s money was to remain in place until the great grandchildren became 21. First great grandchild turns 21 and Goff splits the money in B/S by three and cuts a cheque for 4K which he wants to pay Mandy. She says pay her son the father of the child which he does. Seeing the account is in his name he pays the cheque into his account and writes one out for the same amount and sends off. Accountant picks this up and goes ballistic. Geoff has paid to Daisy and Mandy a total of 19k. He writes to Mandy on Geoffs behalf and requests from her confirmation of the 19k and a conclusion to the matter. BS to be closed and money dispersed. Geoff then gets a solicitors letter stating that she wants the file to do with all Daisy's affairs. Geoff has no file and lets them know this. He also says he has done well in life and this was down to Daisy believing in him and he doesn't care about the money if Mandy is in trouble he would help. He offers in a letter to pay the original debt in full if Mandy acknowledges that the 19k already paid is calculated as Interest. He then hears nothing from anybody for 2 yrs. Out of the blue he gets a call from her solicitor saying that they do not want to sue him as it will cost him everything so just send the money and that will be the end of it. Geoff said he was uncomfortable with this and required something in writing. On Friday he got a letter from the Lawyer saying that he, within the next 14days, must submit his proposals for repayment together with outstanding interest and costs. The letter is without prejudice and and does not mention it was Daisy's money. The letter is on behalf of Mandy and children.
Should he reply and if so what should he say?
Hope all are well.
Conundrum that I need help with.
in 1980 my neighbour Geoff started a business, his friend elderly Daisy gave him 15k to get going. He visited her once a month to repay her 100 as agreed. all was great, then she became ill and moved into a council home, she had about 30k he thinks. He carried on visiting and paid his 100. However Daisy had a daughter (Mandy) who also visited and made herself known to Geoff. They visited sometimes at the same time and the money came up as a discussion between the three parties. Daisy gave Geoff another 3k and asked him to put it in a building Society account for her 3 great Grandchildren to get when she died. Geoff obviously queried this and Daisy said that even if she put it on her will, Mandy is on benefits and would spend it, they would get nothing. Geoff did as he was asked. Mandy moved Daisy to a state funded home and told Geoff she was not well enough to receive visitors, he was to give her repayments and she would pass this onto Daisy, Geoff had no reason to doubt Mandy so he did so. Mandy informed Geoff that Daisy had died.(Geoff was not invited to the burial, he has not seen a death certificate or any probate papers and was only informed after when he dropped off money to Mandy) Geoff said their was about 10k owing to Daisy and 3k plus interest in B/S account for great g/children. Mandy said she would prefer to continue with the original arrangement and the B/s money was to remain in place until the great grandchildren became 21. First great grandchild turns 21 and Goff splits the money in B/S by three and cuts a cheque for 4K which he wants to pay Mandy. She says pay her son the father of the child which he does. Seeing the account is in his name he pays the cheque into his account and writes one out for the same amount and sends off. Accountant picks this up and goes ballistic. Geoff has paid to Daisy and Mandy a total of 19k. He writes to Mandy on Geoffs behalf and requests from her confirmation of the 19k and a conclusion to the matter. BS to be closed and money dispersed. Geoff then gets a solicitors letter stating that she wants the file to do with all Daisy's affairs. Geoff has no file and lets them know this. He also says he has done well in life and this was down to Daisy believing in him and he doesn't care about the money if Mandy is in trouble he would help. He offers in a letter to pay the original debt in full if Mandy acknowledges that the 19k already paid is calculated as Interest. He then hears nothing from anybody for 2 yrs. Out of the blue he gets a call from her solicitor saying that they do not want to sue him as it will cost him everything so just send the money and that will be the end of it. Geoff said he was uncomfortable with this and required something in writing. On Friday he got a letter from the Lawyer saying that he, within the next 14days, must submit his proposals for repayment together with outstanding interest and costs. The letter is without prejudice and and does not mention it was Daisy's money. The letter is on behalf of Mandy and children.
Should he reply and if so what should he say?
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