What if my siblings disagree about selling our parents' house in Pennsylvania?

Disagreement among heirs matters less than who holds letters. The personal representative named by the will, or appointed by the Register of Wills, carries the authority to take possession of estate real property. The estate code also says the representative may sell real property that was not specifically devised, unless the will says otherwise. If the will leaves the house to one named child, that devisee generally has to join the sale.

In Philadelphia, the Register of Wills says that when there are multiple heirs and no will, they must either renounce to a sole administrator or act together as co-administrators. Co-administrators have to work as a team. If one sibling wants to sell and another refuses, the sale can stall. Renouncing in favor of one sibling is one way to break the stalemate, but only do that with legal advice. It helps to separate three questions: who has authority, who gets what, and what the house is worth. Families often argue about all three at once. Sorting them out one at a time lowers the temperature. The authority question is answered by the will or the Register of Wills. The share question is answered by the will or by the law of intestacy. The value question is answered by an appraisal or by offers. When each answer is on paper, the room for argument shrinks.

The orphans' court division can order a sale of estate real or personal property when it is advisable that the sale have the effect of a judicial sale. A court filing takes time and costs money, and it can be hard on family relationships. A mediator or estate attorney may help first. Talk through who will pay the carrying costs while the house sits: taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep.

Start with facts everyone can see. Get a written list of what the estate owes and what it holds. Get two or three written offers or opinions of value, so the argument is about numbers and not feelings. Agree on who pays the carrying costs and how they are repaid from the sale. Ask whether one sibling wants to keep the house, and if so whether they can afford to buy out the others. A mediator can help when the conversation stalls. Keep in mind that a court filing costs money and can take a long time. It is usually the last tool, not the first.

Sometimes a disagreement is about price. A written cash offer from Kaizen Home Buyers can give the family a number to compare against a listing. We buy as-is with no repairs and no agent commission, make offers within 24 hours, and can close in 14 to 30 days or on the family's date. We cannot close unless the authorized representative signs. Call 267-329-0084.