Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Virginia
Heirs to real estate
I, along with a sibling, inherited the real estate of our parents. We went before a commissioner(not a judge, but perhaps appointed by a judge)and I agreed for my sibling to purchase the house. He also wants to purchase the contents(personal property) and we had a verbal agreement(letter to the effect)that I would be able to purchase certain personal items and he the rest, but after the meeting he decided he wanted to keep one of the items, for his daughter, that I had listed. Since he reneged on his agreement I have refused to sign the deed for his purchase of the real estate. Any advice on steps that could and should be taken to get this matter resolved will be greatly appreciated.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Heirs to real estate
Yes, you and your sibling should agree to meet with a neutral third party in order to mediate
these matters which are in dispute and to work out a final settlement of the estate.
The commissioner you met with was most likely a Commissioner of Accounts with whom the executor or administrator of the estate is required to file a report within 16 months of the qualifying date for the estate, giving an account of the settlement, if any, of all claims asserted by creditors as well as the distribution/disposition of all assets in the estate listed on the inventory form.