[Athena E.]

Is it unreasonable to demand payment for my share of our inheritance?​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from Reddit/Bulky-Nectarine-8514:

Am I being unreasonable for telling my brother he has to buy my half of our inherited home?

'My brother, 51, is living in my dad's childhood home. Granted, all of us kids and friends have, but we all paid rent, bills, and property tax. My brother, on the other hand, has not paid anything to my dad, ever.'

'He has lived with my parents his entire life, other than 7 years he was married, and has always been a big spoiled brat. He works and gets paid very well but my mum still managed his money.'

'Anyway, my parents have recently passed and we both have inherited the house. I refuse to pay for his bills and property tax if he's living there. I have a mortgage and other things of my own. I told him he has to buy my half of the house, and he threw a fit and said that I'm selfish, why should he give me money for something I got for free. '

'Am I unreasonable for putting my foot down?'

 

[MIZMAC]

Stick to your beliefs. Remind him he also has his home free.

 

[kerrikennel]

No, it's half yours. He needs to either buy you out or both sell and share the proceeds.

 

[Jo Piper3]

Alternatively sell the property and split the profit.

 

[Majo]

Stick to your beliefs. Remind him he also has his home free.

I believe the law is on your side if you both inherited the house equally. You have two choices, let him be a tenant and he pays rent for your half, and his bills as any tenant would, and half the rates etc as a propert owner, and sell down the track some time.
Or sell now, in which he case he can either buy your half, or not.
Your parents did not leave the house to him alone, so you are rightfully entitled to half.

 

[novezar]

I can sense an expensive court case coming out of this situation.
The brother should out of all decency certainly should buy the brother out.
An amical decision will save both of them a lot of court & solicitors costs.
A joint choice of a solicitor will also save them unwanted extra costs as well to make everything legal.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I am thankful that I am an only child.

 

[MariaG]

Don't dilly dally about.
I had a similar situation when my darling mum passed.
My sister, her 2 kids, and, 3 grandchildren were living there. They covered rates, water and power whilst there, but rent was never pursued, or wanted by me.
There were lots of ifs and buts, but ultimately, my sister did not want to get into debt to buy half of the house, even at sister rates.
If the house was not sold within 2 years of mums passing, we would be liable for capital gains tax.
So, Auntie/grand auntie/sis went out the window. We sat down and talked about things with a good friend, who is a real estate agent, as the voice of reason and impartiality.
Outcome...sell the house for the best price possible, split the proceeds, niece found a rental, nephew stayed with his mum, and sis found a gorgeous affordable cottage further inland. No capital gains ... phew.
Emotions have to be put aside in situations like this. One has to be practical and do the right thing for all concerned whether they want it or not.

 

[relljube]

Time to talk or get a mediator to conduct an "exorcism". Your brother is totally unreasonable and should at least pay half of the expenses of the property. Keep a diary of all outgoings as by the sound of things it will develop into a struggle. Do not let him bully you out of your share of the house. If he can't or won't buy your share, time to talk to a lawyer to push for a sale.

 

[Johnnie boy]

Selfish spoilt brat. Sell it and split the remaining cash.

 

[novezar]

I am thankful that I am an only child.

Hey Veggie,
Do you think that your mum dad knew how you would turn out & didn't want to experiment any further.
Ha ha ha.
Have a "Gooden", champ.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Hey Veggie,
Do you think that your mum dad knew how you would turn out & didn't want to experiment any further.
Ha ha ha.
Have a "Gooden", champ.

How perceptive of you!!

When I was about 7 years old, I asked Mum could I have a baby brother to play with.

Her reply? "I wouldn't unleash another you onto this world!"

 

[Veggiepatch]

How perceptive of you!!

When I was about 7 years old, I asked Mum could I have a baby brother to play with.

Her reply? "I wouldn't unleash another you onto this world!"

Dad used to tell me a story that when I was born, he took me to the pub near the Crown Street Women's Hospital, sit me on the bar and ask the barman "Can you put a head on this?"

Never happened as Dad was joking!

 

[marni]

Best start off with someone you both trust to let him know how much he can lose by fighting over the spoils. If still not convinced get yourself a good solicitor to write him a letter. Obviously he doesn’t care about family relations so why should you.