‘I have been left a property with a sibling. They want to keep it, I want to sell’

I have been left half a property with a sibling. I would prefer to cash in my half, but I think they would like to keep it. What is the best way to proceed, and do I need to wait for probate to act? Could I negotiate to receive the value of my half of the property from the remaining liquid assets left to us in the will?

A property left to siblings in a will is a common occurrence.

A parent can direct that it be sold on their death and the proceeds divided between their children, but should their death coincide with a property crash, this may prove a poor time to sell.

Most parents will let the children themselves figure out what they want to do with it, says solicitor Elaine Byrne from Athboy, Co Meath.

“You are relying on them being able to work it out together,” says Byrne. “But if you feel the family probably isn’t going to get on, it’s better to direct it to be sold.”