Inheriting a house with siblings in the UK following the death of a family member can be emotional and isn’t always straightforward as multiple parties are involved.
To help you understand your options and prevent inherited property disputes, the expert inheritance solicitors at Freeman Jones Solicitors explain how this process works in the UK.
What to do when you inherit a house with siblings
First and foremost, when inheriting a house with siblings in the UK, it’s crucial that any decisions made regarding the property are done so jointly with all the siblings’ agreement.
This is because inheriting a property with your siblings in the UK means you each own equal shares of the property, unless the deceased’s will states otherwise.
For example, if you decide to sell the inherited property (which is the most common option), then written consent from all the siblings must be obtained. Once the property has been sold, the proceeds should be equally split between all the siblings.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to sell the property (for example, if one sibling wishes to live in the property), then this individual can purchase the other siblings’ share of the property.
However, if the sibling that wishes to remain in the inherited property is unable to buy out the other siblings and refuses to sell, then the other siblings can apply to the court for an ‘order of sale’.
It’s worth bearing in mind that an individual sibling cannot force the sale of the inherited property in the UK unless they have a court order.
However, this is generally considered a severe approach to resolving an inheritance dispute between siblings. Mediation and negotiation with an impartial dispute resolution body is often a more cost-effective, amicable, and quicker way of resolving these issues.
Seeking support with your inherited property dispute?
If inheriting a house with siblings in the UK is causing a dispute within your family, please don’t hesitate to contact the team of expert inheritance solicitors at Freeman Jones Solicitors.
With an in-depth knowledge of UK inheritance law, our experienced legal team can help you to understand and resolve a wide variety of inheritance disputes.
Inherited property disputes between siblings can be particularly sensitive as confrontation and court proceedings can lead to the complete breakdown of family relationships.
At Freeman Jones Solicitors, we aim to explore more amicable methods of resolving inheritance disputes, such as mediation and negotiation, before resorting to more expensive, stressful, and time-consuming court proceedings.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help resolve inherited property disputes between siblings or are keen to book your free, 20-minute, no-obligation consultation, simply get in touch with our knowledgeable team today.
Alternatively, you can also contact us by giving us a call on 01244 506 444 or emailing us at info@fjsolicitors.co.uk.
For a more personal touch, we also welcome in-person visits to all our offices – you can find a Freeman Jones Solicitors branch in Chester, Liverpool, Warrington, and Wrexham.
