Ugly family quarrel over a share in grandmother's real estate, need your advice about real estate laws/wills.

Question

When my grandmother died she left over 7 acres of land to be split up between my father and his 5 brothers and 1 sister. When my father died last year, his share of my grandmother's estate was left to me, my mother, and my sister. My uncle wants us to sign over our share of the estate to him and his reason is because he has spent a lot of money to keep up the estate and paid taxes on it etc. (he's a millionaire mind you). All I asked is for him to buy me out of my share and we can negotiate so he can make me an offer for my share. This seemed like a reasonable proposal from me being that he's a savvy businessman and I am still a struggling student with school loan debts and a family to take care of. He flat out refused, insulted me and my deceased father, and told me that he could take my portion of the land without my consent if he wanted to. He's trying to intimidate me with big time lawyers and strong arm me into giving up my share. Does he have a case? Can he sue me? Am I right?

Answer 1

As you said, he is trying to strong arm you into giving up what is rightfully yours.

Hire yourself a lawyer who knows a little about probate and estates. It should not cost that much. Is this guy the executor? If not, speak to the executor about the issue as well. If he is, you can petition the court to have him removed if he is abusing his power.

Fight for what is rightfully yours and don't let this guy steal it. Probate and estate laws differ from state to state, but if you're a rightful heir (it sounds like you are) ... protect your interest!

Answer 2

He's trying to scare ya. Great uncle huh? I'm glad he's not on my family tree. Jerk! Why wasn't he doing this when your dad was alive? Coweird!
Do yourself a favor, start taking care of your land and put something on it like a home for your family, even if its a vacation home. If this goes to court, you can make a case that you use the land. I'd throw the ugliest darn mobile home on it with a pit bull and a no trespassing sign and then dare him to come on over. The Creep!
Keep any and all receipts to prove that you have invested in the land right on down to the receipt for vegetable seeds!
Then again, why should the dog suffer? Sorry about your loss. Losing a parent is hard enough without a pain in the rear uncle trying to intimidate you. Creep!
I wonder if there's a way to prove harrassment. The Greedy Creep!

Answer 3

If he died with a will leaving you your mom and your sister the estate and the will has been probated there really isn't much he can do other than petition the court to open the probate again but in my opinion his chances are pretty slim. As to whether he can sue you or not; anyone can sue anyone in the US all you need is a filing fee and a piece of paper. Proving the allegations in the suit is another matter. You should get an attorney to help you with this and scare him right back if you can not afford an attorney check this site out.
Free legal aid search for all states: http://www.lawhelp.org/
Buena Suerte

Answer 4

Diversification of investments is always the best method. You can think of other investment options like Gold, Bank FD, Post office savings scheme also. Equity market is right now unstable so invest less amount in it. Real estate may encounter a slow down due to rise in interest rates. However for long term equity and real estate investments also would help.

Answer 5

I bet your Uncle is thinking he can take over the land through adverse possession since he mentioned upkeep and property taxes. However I doubt he can. You will need to see how you are on title before anyone can advise you on your rights and what to do to protect yourself.

Regards

Answer 6

have him make you an offer see if that works for him and your self,,,,,,,,,,OR sell it to someone else and really pi$$ him off............