Dealing with the loss of a parent is never easy. But when inheritance issues arise — especially when one sibling acts out of greed — the emotional toll can be even greater.

Whether it's manipulating a parent, misusing authority, or taking property before it's properly divided, these actions aren't just unfair — they may be legally challengeable. In this article, we’ll break down common inheritance-related conflicts with siblings and what you can do about them.

1. A Sibling Influenced the Parent to Transfer Property

Sometimes, one greedy siblings may take advantage of their closeness to a parent — physically or emotionally — to convince them to hand over property before death. This often happens privately, and other family members may not find out until it’s too late.

Legal Options:

If you believe the property was transferred under undue influence, you can file a legal claim after the parent’s passing. You’ll need to show:

• The sibling had a reason to benefit

• They had access and opportunity

• The parent was vulnerable or dependent

Evidence might include medical records, witness testimony, or proof the sibling arranged legal documents on the parent’s behalf.

2. Misuse of Power of Attorney

If your parent gave a sibling Power of Attorney (POA), that sibling had the responsibility to act in the parent’s best interest. But sometimes, that authority is abused — with assets being transferred or sold for less than they’re worth.

Legal Options:

This type of behavior is considered self-dealing and is a breach of fiduciary duty. An estate attorney can help you challenge these transactions and work to have them reversed or voided.

3. Manipulating the Will

It’s not uncommon for a sibling to persuade a parent to rewrite a will in their favor, especially when the parent is in poor health or highly dependent on them. If the changes drastically alter the original intent, it could be a red flag.

Legal Options:

You may be able to contest the will in probate court. If the court finds that undue influence occurred, the will could be invalidated and the estate distributed according to state intestacy laws, which often divide assets equally among children.

4. Taking Property Before the Estate Inventory

After a parent's death, one sibling might take valuable items from the home before the estate inventory is officially conducted. This kind of behavior often goes unnoticed until it's too late.

Legal Options:

The estate’s personal representative can initiate discovery and turnover proceedings to trace and recover the missing items. The court may order your sibling to return or repay what was taken.

5. Mismanaging or Misusing Estate Funds

A sibling acting as executor (also known as the personal representative) must manage the estate fairly and legally. If they use estate money for themselves or make questionable decisions — like selling property at below market value — they could be violating their legal duties.

Legal Options:

If mismanagement occurs, you can:

• Petition the court to remove the sibling as executor

• Request that they reimburse the estate

• Block or reverse any unfair property sales

The court may also require them to pay damages if the estate suffered losses due to their actions.

Protecting Your Rights and Your Parent’s Legacy

If a sibling is acting unfairly or dishonestly during the inheritance process, you don’t have to stay silent. Legal tools exist to protect your rights, and an experienced estate attorney can help you navigate these complex situations.

Whether you’re concerned about missing property, a suspicious will, or abuse of authority, there are clear steps you can take to hold the responsible party accountable.

How Our Firm Can Help

At the Law Offices of Mary E. King, we understand the emotional and legal challenges that come with inheritance disputes. Our team specializes in probate, estate administration, and resolving family conflicts related to inheritance.