Have you ever heard about sibling rivalry getting worse when it comes to dividing their parents’ estate? I never thought it could happen to my family, but here we are – things are getting tense.
Let me give you some context. I am the middle child of three, with my older sister and I being in our 70s, and my brother in his early 60s. Our parents were not wealthy, but they were able to sell their farm ten years ago, and the proceeds have comfortably covered all their living expenses.
Our parents always told us that they never wanted to be a financial burden to us and that they wanted everything to be divided equally. That’s exactly what their wills reflect. Dad has passed away and Mom is now at a very advanced age.
All three of us are married without any children or beneficiaries. I am retired and debt-free, and my brother is in a similar situation. Neither of us is rich, but we feel financially secure.
We’ve never really discussed our personal financial situations with each other, so it was surprising to find out about my brother’s circumstances. Five years ago, he lost his job and has been unemployed since. It was the company’s decision, not due to performance issues.
The concerning part is that he’s been very picky about finding a new job, not willing to settle for less. He’s been relying on financial assistance from our mother, which has added up to almost $200,000. His situation is worrying, and he seems to be banking on his inheritance to solve his financial problems.
