Legal Question in Family Law in California

Deadbeat Brother Won't Pay

My mom died 5 years ago, and my older brother and I inherited the estate and house 50/50. At that time a bank acct. with about $10K was set up by our lawyer to pay the bills. Now that money is gone, and it's time to have my brother pay his half, but he is a deadbeat. He promises it's on the way a million times, and never delivers. He did the same thing when he promised he'd get his drivers license renewed, and never has. To the point, he is too ill to function in society, but not ill enough to be committed.

He's in his mid-40s and has never had a job; sponged off my parents til they died, and now won't come up with his share of the costs. He has the money, and the time to get it. He just won't.

I'd like to try mediation, but if there is no teeth in it he can just walk away and go on with his 'check is in the mail' lies. I can try binding arbitration or taking him to small claims, but I don't want to do this every 3 months -- can his money be forced into a conservatorship so my house can still have water and power?? The last thing I want is to sell the house I've been in all my life. What should I do? He won't seriously listen to anyone.

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