If a house left to5 siblings and has been placed on the market to be sold, does1 of the siblings have the right to move into the house without buying it from the other siblings?
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If a house left to5 siblings and has been placed on the market to be sold, does1 of the siblings have the right to move into the house without buying it from the other siblings?
If so, what would the circumstance have to be so that would make it legal? Would that sibling have to pay the other siblings their share of the amount the house was on the market for? The Will stated all money and house be divided equally.
Asked on February 7, 2012 under Estate Planning, West Virginia
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. You all have equal rights in the house if you were all left the house. You all hav equal responsibilities as well. I get the feeling that 4 of you are not so happy that one has moved in, especially since the house is on the market. But the one moving in does not necessarily forfeit their inheritance by doing so. If their moving causes monetary damages to the other 4 in some way - or to the estate I should say - then they can be held accountable. Listen, maybe you should come up with an agreement between you as to the house. If one wants to live there and maintain it until sold but agrees to vacate with in 30 days of sale or something like that - and please don't use this as legal dvice for a lease; seek legal counsel - that may be the best way to deal with it. An occupied house may be better to ward against burglary, etc. Good luck.
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