Inherited propery - one beneficiary doesn't want to sell.

Tom99

Did you father not have any cash savings which can be used to insure the property?

antrobus

Jo1495 wrote: »

Would love to be in a position to insure the property - but my sister and I have our own families to support. I feel that if my brother wants to stay in the property then he needs to be able to maintain the property or leave.

That's of no consequence really.

As the administrator of the estate you have a duty to insure the property and ensure that any necessary repairs are carried out etc. If you fail to do so, you would be held personally liable for any loss suffered by the estate.

If, for example, the property burnt down tomorrow, any of the other beneficiaries could come after you for their share of the property.

If the estate has no cash to pay for the insurance, you're going to need to have a chat with a bank and get a loan. Otherwise you're taking a big risk, and have good reason to be in " constant dread of something happening".

System

Unless there is no money available from the estate either cash or saleable contents, as executors / administrators you should not be paying estate expenses (eg insurance or other bills) from your own pockets.

Alfrescodave

I think you've come to this forum hoping for an easy non confrontational way to resolve this difficult problem.

Unfortunately there isn't one. It's time that you had a family meeting and spell out to your brother that difficult decisions have to be made. One of which is probably to sell the house.

Jo1495

Thank you for all of your comments and advice, which I have taken onboard. My sister and I have now sorted the house insurance for the next year. However, there is still the house and my brother that I need to sort out. In hindsight I think it would have been best for all of us if we had discussed this when my father passed away, but we didn't and now it's not going to be easy but needs to be done.

Brynsam

Jo1495 wrote: »

However, there is still the house and my brother that I need to sort out. In hindsight I think it would have been best for all of us if we had discussed this when my father passed away, but we didn't and now it's not going to be easy but needs to be done.

'I' ? It doesn't have to be just you. This is one for all siblings, not one battling alone.

Your father only died in June, less than four months ago, so don't berate yourself for not rushing to discuss everything while you were still newly bereaved. Before talking to your brother, why don't the rest of you draw up a list of possible ways forward, pick the one you prefer and then say to him that's what you intend to do unless he has a different preference which would be acceptable to everyone.

He must be feeling fairly lost and bewildered. Not only has he lost his father, but if he was the primary carer he has lost a lot of purpose in his life and also faces losing his home. Not really surprising that he's in burying-head-in-sand mode, so it is essential that there is a clear path going forward and an equally clear timescale for proposed actions.

Flugelhorn

glad you have sorted the insurance - there can't be any faffing about over this, you could have lost your own home over this if parents' house had burnt down and you owed siblings lots of money.

as mentioned above, look at the options and decide what you are going to do - talk to your brother about what he can afford re rent etc