"On my father's death in 1997, he gave me his half of the house, indicating that he hoped I would share its use with my three sisters but placing no limits on what I chose to do with it. When my father's brother died, his half of the house was in a trust, which allowed me to buy that half if I wished."
"I have been responsible for upkeep on the house since my father's death, with little help lately from my sisters or their now-grown children, although they have used it and I have honored my father's wish that I share its use with them. I have rented it in the summer to pay expenses. It breaks even in large part because my friends and I do the considerable physical labor that is required."
A father and his brother inherited a lake house in 1962. On the father's death in 1997 he gave his half to one child while expressing a hope that use would be shared among three sisters but without restricting disposition. The brother's half was held in trust and the inheritor bought it, paying proceeds to sisters and other beneficiaries. One sister demanded a sale and cut contact. The inheritor has managed upkeep, rented the property to cover expenses, and relied on friends for heavy labor. Sisters now expect a share of sale proceeds or inheritance despite reduced use and limited contribution to maintenance.
Read at Slate Magazine
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]