Special offer
Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!" (Hamm Homes)

Spam prevention
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Are you talking about fighting over an inheritance, challenging a will, trying to get the goods?

Several have answered "Greed".   

    Expanding upon that, the Bible refers to such a person as COVETOUS.  In many cases, they have always had their eye on the money, or the house, or the personal property.   Now that the dead person is out of the way, they will sue anyone, or walk over anyone, to acquire that which they have coveted.

Feb 18, 2023 09:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,662
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

 

GREED!

Feb 18, 2023 09:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Because they no longer have to be nice and lie because the person's alive?

Feb 18, 2023 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

In my opinion one only needs to follow the money. . .   In everyday life and too often, in death.

Feb 18, 2023 01:32 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

One word ...

 

GREED 

 

A lot of old buried (no pun) family stuff rises to the surface causing all kinds of negative emotions.

It is truly very sad yet not uncommon.

Feb 18, 2023 09:19 AM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

A sense of entitlement...

Feb 18, 2023 12:38 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Usually selfishness and greed. 

Feb 18, 2023 10:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I don't know but it happened to my own family & my fathers sisters too.

The person that passed away kept the family in control - once they're gone the knives come out.

Feb 18, 2023 10:05 AM
Ambassador
2,061,797
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Many people don't know how to handle death.

Feb 18, 2023 08:20 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

A common issue for many families. And, some of the family divisions are very long term.

Feb 18, 2023 12:43 PM
Rainmaker
628,764
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

The true personalities come out when the patriarchs of the family are gone.

Feb 18, 2023 04:02 PM
Rainmaker
4,160,412
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Will Hamm I have seen happened in two occasions within my extended relatives sue each others for the inheritance.

Feb 18, 2023 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Bottom line is greed, jealousy, selfishness and envy.  But I believe Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate said it the way I would have.  

Feb 18, 2023 01:33 PM
Rainmaker
584,631
Shayne Stone
HomeSmart - Fulshear, TX
"Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" RETIRED

Hate to say it, but I believe it comes down to Greed... 

Feb 18, 2023 08:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Guilt and greed are what I have seen. Guilt for the family members who did not keep in touch with or spent time with the deceased for whatever reason and now realize that person is gone and can't cope with taking accountability for their actions or lack of. Greed because I have seen how avaricious some people can be and it usually stems partly from guilt...they seem to think that by acquiring as much money, personal property, etc. from that person that it will somehow assuage their guilt. 

Feb 18, 2023 12:58 PM
Ambassador
4,693,319
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have seen it both ways.  I have seen horrible people that have passed away and they talk about them as if they were a saint, haha.

Feb 19, 2023 04:34 AM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

money is the root of all evil.

Feb 18, 2023 12:18 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

It's not something I've ever seen personally or experienced so I can't tell you.

Feb 18, 2023 12:15 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

What has made a home in the soul and doesn't belong there has to be outed before the exit. THINK: The soul is surrendered to God. Get as much "taint" out of it as you can. He will do the rest (grace & mercy). Regardless of how what is inside someone and why, focus on it coming and staying out and in order to do that, the many must see it first. Prepare to show the exit respect

Feb 18, 2023 09:49 AM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Self-entitlement may play a part as well as greed. My aunt passed away and then my uncle within 60 days of one another. My cousins were grieving something awful, except for the oldest brother. Instead, he hired an attorney to get what he considered was owed to him. Horrible situation!

Feb 19, 2023 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Like politics, greed trumps compassion and ethics!

Feb 19, 2023 04:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

We are all aware that money and the aspect of making easy money does strange things to some people.

Feb 18, 2023 05:08 PM
Ambassador
5,230,057
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Most of the time, that family member is only concerned about the inheritance. It's a sad state of affairs, for sure, Will.

Feb 19, 2023 05:09 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,097
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Finally acknowledging the truth?

Feb 19, 2023 03:30 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I don't understand the comment, Will.

Feb 18, 2023 10:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

It's people being people Will

Feb 19, 2023 08:22 PM
Rainer
195,422
Karen Climer
Demetree School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
Teaching people to pass the real estate exam

Because it is an experience that typically involves a wide range of intense emotions.  People don't have a lot of experience dealing with emotions of that intensity.  Your parents only die twice in your life.  Your spouse only dies once (maybe twice) in your life.  You only have a small number of siblings, so you can only experience that a few times.

It's just a very intense situation that we don't have a lot of experience dealing with.  Also, there is nothing more permanent that we deal with.

Feb 19, 2023 01:53 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate has a great response.  As the executor of my parents' estate, I made sure early on that all their affairs were in order so that their desires concerning their property (including all the "stuff") was in writing and signed by them so that my siblings couldn't argue about it.  Unfortunately, I have one challenging sister and I knew being on top of this was essential to avoid issues after my mother died last December.  It worked, but I doubt I will ever see that sister again after she gets paid her final installment of my mother's assets.

Feb 20, 2023 11:25 AM
Rainer
557,375
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Selfishness.

Feb 19, 2023 10:08 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Feb 21, 2023 06:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,556,633
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

MONEY:  In its presence we're coarse, in its absence we're vulgar. 

Feb 22, 2023 06:45 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Many reasons I am sure, entitlement, greed, sadness, perceived slights, etc.

Feb 21, 2023 07:09 PM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Often it is greed. Sometimes it is the anxiety or grief one feels or a persons feels about what another did or should do. There are so many things. 

Feb 21, 2023 10:22 AM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Perhaps guilt plays a part?  Unresolved family issues?  Many families do not discuss the issue on the table and instead part ways after the death.  Sad, but seems to happen over and over.....

Feb 21, 2023 08:10 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Many times it's family members that have been sitting around thinking they're going to inherit something, then find out the parents did a reverse mortgage, or realize 5 or more other family members were all thinking they they were going to inherit the same real estate or money. I know families that put into there will that the family home is to be sold, and any money left over after estate is settled is to be donated to their local fire house, or church, etc, and kids got nothing.

Feb 21, 2023 05:02 AM
Ambassador
2,670,013
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

I agree that greed and selfishness play a part. Also many folks seek to grasp after the person who is gone by grabbing the "stuff"-even when it has no personal meaning. 

Feb 27, 2023 12:47 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I only see this when greed takes over and fighting over the inheritance is more important than the loss.  Our family has never had this problem.

Feb 26, 2023 08:46 AM
Rainer
2,475
Jeff Eannarino
Eannarino Law, P.A. - Stuart, FL
Stuart & West Palm Beach real estate lawyers

This happens more often than you think.  One way to avoid family feuds is to remove family members from decisions.   Making sure properties are correctly titled while the owners are alive and, that an estate plan is in place can alleviate squabbles and keep family away from the courts and a probate judge.  

Feb 22, 2023 12:58 PM