More Family Solutions

I'll use the term family here to include "related-by-marriage", since this is often the case where two (or more) people have different ideas about what to do with property in their name. Usually, an in-law would like the property sold, while another person, with more of an emotional connection to the property, would like to keep it. One solution here would be an option agreement whereby one family member would have a certain amount of time to buy the land. If he or she fails to do so, then everyone could partition it. If there are two or more people with an interest in the land, the option could be given to one person first, or a bidding procedure could be implemented. Probate courts often see a similar type of bidding procedure.

Don't look at these ideas as the only solutions. There are many more. But as I posted earlier, at least the options are in the family's control before a probate is opened.