Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Florida

Estate: siblings refuse to sell

My 8 siblings and I have inherited my parent's house upon their decease. It has been over two years since my parents passed away. The house is literally in such bad shape that it should be condemned. I am afraid that someone will get hurt on the property and sue us. But the siblings are divided on selling it. Those who don't want to sell yet don't have the money to buy out those of us who want out, but want to keep it until they get a really good offer. (They imagine it to be worth about twice what the appraisal says!) Meanwhile we are all required to chip in on taxes and such, which some of us cannot really afford.I am willing to give up my share if necessary, to avoid any potential lawsuits, the current drain on my finances, and just to get it all over with. I don't want to fight with my siblings. How can I get out of this mess?


Asked on 5/08/06, 4:09 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Shigo The Shigo Law Firm, P.A.

Re: Estate: siblings refuse to sell

This is a very strong argument for placing the homestead in to a trust where the trust instrument can put forth some rules when all the heirs cannot agree on how to proceed. Your simplest option is to merely quitclaim your interest to the other siblings nd just walk away. My only problem with this solution is that it tends to reward the most unreasonable person (their share is now larger simply ther were being a jerk). It seem that some form of family mediation would help along with securing a willing buyer.

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Answered on 5/08/06, 10:06 am


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