While it's often normal for older parents to revise their wills late in life, it's not often that it becomes such a point of contention and emotional strife in the family.

Such was the experience of one couple, who, upon making a small tweak to their will so that one child would receive the family property, ended up unknowingly sparking a heated family feud.

The family drama began some time ago, when the couple, whose identities will remain undisclosed, originally wanted to leave their sons, both married with kids of their own, a $3 million dollar home.

It had been in the family for generations, was 'a couple hundred years old', and would leave a wonderful legacy to the family heirs. But when the couple told their sons of their plan, there was a surprising reaction.

A couple has revealed their son is furious with them after making changes to their will, leaving him their $3 million family home that he can't sell. Credit: Shutterstock.

The mother also revealed that the older son was married but didn't want children and lived in the same state as his parents. Meanwhile, the younger one is married as well but has two young children and lives eight hours away.

'[The younger son] winced,' the concerned mother recalled informing his children in a post on a forum website.

'He told us he didn't want anything to do with the house and had no plans to move back to the area.'

Obviously, the couple were disappointed to see such a negative attitude, so they discussed the plan and chose to revise their will.

They phoned both sons to inform them that they had decided to leave the younger son all the financial assets, almost one million dollars more than the house's value, and they would leave the older son the family home instead.

But that's when things started to get complicated.

According to the mother, her older son revealed that he and his wife live five hours away, so they wouldn't be able to move in. The son had also realised that it would have a negative effect on his finances, and their property tax would increase.

Needless to say, the response from the couple's eldest son was not the most favourable. The mother said that the son even 'threateningly' mentioned that he would keep all of this in mind in the future when they need elderly care and he's the one nearby.

The conversation ended very tensely, but the younger son was reportedly 'pleased' with the results.

On the online forum, the mum later disclosed that the house could not be sold due to an agreement the previous owners had made, which effectively prohibited them from selling it to anyone other than the town.

The consequences of the small change had inadvertently created a wave of tension in the family, and now members of the online forum are attempting to navigate delicate familial lines to help the distressed mum.

A commenter on the forum jokingly said, 'You can leave it to me. I will move in and love it forever. I'll even change my last name, and you can adopt me.'

However, others called out the parents, with one user saying: '[You're wrong] for trying to manipulate your offspring to live in a house they do not want in an area they don't want to be in'.

'The house is not worth three million because it can never be sold, so take it off the table and split the other assets evenly between them. Then, when the town takes the house for its land value, they can also split that money. You should not ask your kids to maintain this home after you are gone,' they added.

Another agreed and commented: 'You are trying to make your children take on a burden as the last thing you do before death. That is so messed up…'

Key Takeaways

• A couple has changed their wills, causing tension as they have left their $3 million family home to their son, but he can't sell it.
• The house, worth more than its other assets, cannot be sold due to a deal made by its previous owners with the town.
• The son is unhappy with the decision, arguing it will negatively impact his finances as maintenance and property tax will increase.
• The parents have faced criticism online for forcing their children to take on the burden of a house they do not want and cannot sell.

From this, it's clear that the family members have very different views and opinions on the matter, but it also highlights something else that many of us may have overlookedwhile planning for the future, it's imperative to leave our family members with assets they actually want so that it doesn't become more of a burden than a legacy.

We must also be mindful of the feelings of our family members when discussing our estate plans and wills. When the plan is as serious as deciding who should receive a large estate, it's important to ensure everyone is on board.

We hope this story serves as a lesson and a reminder for all of us to open the lines of communication with our family members about estate planning in order to avoid an emotionally draining conflict.

Members, do you have a similar story? Have you ever found yourself in an emotionally contentious family matter surrounding a will or estate plan? How did you or those involved handle the situation?

We'd love to hear about it, so feel free to leave a comment below.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Omg no words

Thank you, I know it leaves you speechless. My parents would be so sad.

 

[MariaG]

Yep the worst really does come out when parents die, I have lost all of my family bar one that still is in my life. The others I told them to never get in touch with me ever again the vile things they accused my sister of who was Power of Attorney to my mother which were not true, I had no idea who these people were, they turned into the most revolting people I had ever had the misfortune of knowing, I could not believe they were the people I grew up with. Very very sad but something horrid happens to some people when money is concerned, my mum had only just passed away and I'm talking in the hospital bed still and the doctors had not even done the announcement when 1 of my siblings turned and said when is the will being read.

I don't know where the reading of the will comes in. Any solicitor worth their salt will tell whoever wants to know that there is no obligation to have a reading of the will. The only thing that should happen is that all beneficiaries are made aware of their inheritance. A copy of the will for them is the only real requirement.
I am so sorry you had to go through that. At least my accusers waited until mum's wake to start the grumbling. A group of them were overheard boasting to others sitting around them of the wonderful things they will do with what they believed they were going to receive. I didn't believe it when I was told about it. But they showed their true nature in the end.
The crazy thing was that my mum had a house and a modest superannuation fund. There are no millionaires in our family.
It seems that many families have people like these to deal with. Very sad.