Dispute in the community of heirs? How to break the deadlock
You inherited together with others, and you cannot agree on what should happen with the house, the account and keepsakes? In a community of heirs, everything initially belongs to everyone jointly. This often leads to gridlock. But there are ways out.
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What you should do now
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1. Get an overview
Determine together the assets and value of the estate (accounts, property, debts). This is the basis for any division.
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2. Try to reach agreement
Aim for an amicable division (a division agreement). That is almost always cheaper than a dispute.
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3. Demand the division
If someone blocks it, any co-heir can demand the division, if necessary through a partition auction of the property.
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4. Get advice
Inheritance law is complex. Legal advice or mediation helps avoid costly, long-running conflicts (legal aid may be available).
Frequently asked questions
Can a single heir decide something alone?
As a rule, not about individual items of the estate. For those, the co-heirs must generally act together. However, any co-heir can demand the division of the community of heirs at any time and dispose of their own share (for example, sell it).
What if the heirs cannot agree?
Then the division can be enforced: sums of money and accounts are split, and real estate is liquidated through a partition auction if necessary. Because this is often expensive and lengthy, it is worth attempting an agreement or mediation, and in case of doubt with legal help.
Take action now
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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.