When the Sibs Squabble and Don't Play Nice In Ventura County
How many of us are familiar with whine, …”Mommy, Johnny took my toy and....” or “..he’s not playing fair and... “
So Mom is drawn into the fray and must decide who gets what, why and when and ends the argument by saying,...”just get along, please, and play nice..”
Fast forward 50 years and these kids, now are senior adults and they still cannot get along. But poor Mom is gone now. In fact, that is what has started all the bitterness, all over again. Mom may or may not left instructions, but it does not matter to some individuals. They will cry and whine about what they don’t have.
Only now, …”here come the Judge..” The Judge hears both sides and appoints a Receiver or Trustee to handle the sale of the familial home. It does not matter if one of the siblings is still living there. Mom is not going to be settling this argument.
This is where I come in. I now have to determine value, and see about putting the home on the market. I answer to no one but the attorney, who has been designated receiver or trustee, depending on the circumstances. And he/she answers only to the judge and many times they do not need court approval for the sale. I listen patiently to any of they siblings if they contact me, or if they share their worries about this one or that one taking things like family photos, or trivial items of their childhood. I am empathetic to all sides since it is my job to bring closure to those involved.
The end result is most definitely going to mean less money to split up. Now the fees begin to add up. The trustee gets paid. The real estate agent he/she hires gets paid. Any other fees that result from getting the home sold are added to the list to be paid. The siblings could have saved themselves a lot of money, grief and heartache if they had just listened to their mom's sage advice of old... " get along and play nice" ............................................................................................
How many of us are familiar with whine, …”Mommy, Johnny took my toy and....” or “..he’s not playing fair and... “
So Mom is drawn into the fray and must decide who gets what, why and when and ends the argument by saying,...”just get along, please, and play nice..”
Fast forward 50 years and these kids, now are senior adults and they still cannot get along. But poor Mom is gone now. In fact, that is what has started all the bitterness, all over again. Mom may or may not left instructions, but it does not matter to some individuals. They will cry and whine about what they don’t have.
Only now, …”here come the Judge..” The Judge hears both sides and appoints a Receiver or Trustee to handle the sale of the familial home. It does not matter if one of the siblings is still living there. Mom is not going to be settling this argument.
This is where I come in. I now have to determine value, and see about putting the home on the market. I answer to no one but the attorney, who has been designated receiver or trustee, depending on the circumstances. And he/she answers only to the judge and many times they do not need court approval for the sale. I listen patiently to any of they siblings if they contact me, or if they share their worries about this one or that one taking things like family photos, or trivial items of their childhood. I am empathetic to all sides since it is my job to bring closure to those involved.
The end result is most definitely going to mean less money to split up. Now the fees begin to add up. The trustee gets paid. The real estate agent he/she hires gets paid. Any other fees that result from getting the home sold are added to the list to be paid. The siblings could have saved themselves a lot of money, grief and heartache if they had just listened to their mom's sage advice of old... " get along and play nice" ............................................................................................
If you are looking for a Realtor with experience in dealing with attorneys as trustees/receivers, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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