Arkansas76
New Member
My father-in-law died leaving a trailer house on my land my wife has 2 sisters they want us to pay them for the trailer I did all the work putting it in place now my nephew lives in the trailer can they make us sell it legally?
Estate settlement between siblings
- Thread Starter Arkansas76
- Start date
army judge
Super Moderator
Your in-laws can't FORCE you to anything.
However, they could take the matter before a court.
If that were to occur, a judge might see things their way.
It is often easier to cut your losses, eliminating the opportunity for greedy people to slice you into tasty portions.
adjusterjack
Super Moderator
If your father in law didn't leave a will with your wife named as heir to the trailer, then she and her sisters inherited it jointly. Each of her two sisters is entitled to 1/3 of the current fair market value and can enforce that in court if necessary.
That was a gift to your father in law.
Your two sisters-in-law are entitled to collect rent from your nephew. 1/3 of the fair market rent to each.
Eventually, through the court, or the court will just award them money that you/your wife will have to pay.
You are in a lose-lose situation. I suggest you figure out what the trailer is worth, less the cost of moving/selling it, and make them a cash offer.
Arkansas76
New Member
Thank you for the advice he died 2 years ago I and left no will they did get a life insurance payout. Sad but the oldest didn't come to the funeral but now want to come rummage through his stuff .
Someone will have to open probate and deal with his estate. There is nothing stopping either of your wife's sisters from starting that process themselves.
Note that the sisters won't necessarily get 1/3 of the value of the trailer, they'll get 1/3 of the value of the estate after all of the assets (the trailer, any bank and investment accounts, etc) are sold and all of the debts (funeral expenses, medical bills, the lien on the trailer if there was one, outstanding credit card debt, etc) are paid.
The life insurance isn't relevant as the beneficiaries receive it outside of probate.
Note that the sisters won't necessarily get 1/3 of the value of the trailer, they'll get 1/3 of the value of the estate after all of the assets (the trailer, any bank and investment accounts, etc) are sold and all of the debts (funeral expenses, medical bills, the lien on the trailer if there was one, outstanding credit card debt, etc) are paid.
The life insurance isn't relevant as the beneficiaries receive it outside of probate.
zddoodah
Well-Known Member
Meaning...a mobile home. Correct?
What does "the trailer I did" mean? And on what basis do your wife's sisters want you to pay them?
No. You cannot (legally) sell that which you do not own. Your father-in-law's mobile home belongs to his estate, and someone will have to deal with it pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the unidentified state where this occurred (and, if he had one, a will). This should have been dealt with shortly after the death.