[Cat03L]

Ok, my father passed away with no will. My brother and I are the sole heirs. I live in my fathers house and have for the past 9 years. If I do not want to sell, and my brother does, and I cannot afford to move what happens? What if I do not have the money to buy my brother out? I have an elderly aunt and uncle that live here also. Do they just get thrown out on the street? Please help! I don't know what to do! Thanks in advance!

[froggy7]

Unfortunately, if the house is part of the estate (and probably the largest part of it) and you and your brother are both heirs, he can petition the court to force the sale of the house. Think of it from his side... he is entitled to half the value of the house. You can either give him that money, and continue to live in the house, or else the house will have to be sold. Would it be possible to take out a mortgage on the house to pay off your brother, and pay it back over time? If you can't do that, then I'd be getting ready to move if I was you. Start saving money, see what your options are, etc. And remember, after the house sells, you will get half that money, so moving may not be as hard as you think.