Was It Wrong too Push for a Faster Estate Settlement? An Advice Column Explores Family & Fairness
published: October 26, 2023 | updated: October 26, 2023 at 10:15 AM
By Priyashah, World-Today-News.com
Navigating the loss of a loved one is emotionally taxing enough, but when legal and financial matters are added to the mix, the burden can become overwhelming. A recent letter to advice columnist R. Eric Thomas highlights a common family conflict: how long is too long when settling an estate? And when is it justifiable to intervene, even at the risk of damaging a relationship?
The question comes from “Estate Dilemma,” who writes of her brother taking a full seven years to settle their father’s estate – a delay exacerbated by the fact he was living in the family home during that time.Despite repeated attempts to encourage action, the brother remained stalled. Ultimately,the writer engaged legal counsel,a move that successfully expedited the process but resulted in a fractured relationship.
“Was I wrong in thinking it took too long?” she asks.
Thomas’s response is unequivocal: seven years is an excessive timeframe, especially if, as the letter suggests, the delay wasn’t due to complex legal hurdles. He acknowledges the deeply personal nature of grief and the lack of a “standard timetable” for processing loss. Compassion and understanding are crucial when dealing with bereaved family members.
Though,Thomas also points to a potential underlying issue: the brother’s reluctance may have stemmed from a desire to retain the house,a situation the columnist deems “unfair.”
The Right to Intervene – and Protect Your Interests
The core of Thomas’s advice centers on the legitimacy of seeking outside help. While acknowledging the brother’s potential hurt feelings, he firmly asserts that the writer acted appropriately by involving a neutral third party – a lawyer - with expertise in estate law.
“You did the right thing by involving a third party with
