“It would have been better had the assets been in a Trust and you were the Trustee with Absolute Power of Attorney. Why? Because then you would be the sole decider.
The others would not have any legal input or legal recourse so, you could decide to defer the distribution to accommodate the unemployed ailing person as long as you deemed necessary to accommodate that person’s need if you chose to do so. The other parties would have no choice but to accept your decision.”
I AM the sole decider, not just the executor, that is why there is a puzzlement. Thank you so much! I have trying to find a way to please everyone.
“I have trying to find a way to please everyone.”
A futile attempt that is unlikely to succeed. Do what is best given the wishes of the deceased. There may be an angry recipient or two (or more) but, you can sleep peacefully knowing you followed their wishes intended as best you could given the circumstances.
With regards to the unemployed ailing person, I would get together with the other intended recipients and discuss that persons situation and see if an agreement can be reached regarding that persons situation.
This should be done amongst everyone but her in a family meeting. If no consensus is reached and you are the sole decider then you will have to make that decision and inform everyone of what you decided and why.
You might wonder why am I taking the time to provide so much input? Because I’ve been there done that. I was designated the Trustee and given Absolute Power of Attorney for the Trusts of my parents, my grandparents and my aunt’s (my mom’s sister) estates.
For what it’s worth, my Step-father, who has a sister, is keeping the family farm and renting the house. His arrangement is for a local farmer to sharecrop. I think he (farmer) gets 1/3 of the profits from the crops. (negotiating how expenses and taxes are paid would be important...)
Having said that, there is no resistance, that I know of, from any of the family, and he knows the local farmers, who do their best to look after his interests.