Real estate brings out emotions like nothing else. Especially when it’s the family cabin. The lake house. The place with stories.
And when you’re gone, everyone has a different idea of what should happen to it.
One child wants to keep it. Another wants to sell. A third wants to rent it out on weekends. That’s how fights start.
You can avoid all of this by being clear. Spell out exactly what happens to the property. Name the new owner. Or set up a trust to hold the property, with rules for usage, maintenance, and eventual sale.
And if you want them to keep it jointly, be honest—will that work? Do they get along? Can they make shared decisions?
If the answer is no, then don’t set them up for failure.
Some families choose to liquidate the property and divide the proceeds. Others create usage schedules. Some set aside money for ongoing upkeep. There’s no perfect answer, but the worst plan is no plan at all.
We help families make smart decisions about properties that hold more than just market value. They hold memories. And sometimes, conflict.
With the right planning, you can leave a legacy that brings people together—instead of tearing them apart.
