depends on which part of the country you're in I guess...

Money is just money. Family is family. Always take the high road. If it were me, I'd let it go without mention.

Have any of you actually driven 7 year-old Buick? Freebie or not, that's not the straw I want to be left holding at the end of the day.

I suppose the answer depends on whether you three siblings actually like each other, or not. If you get along, then I'd lean towards Dantilla's suggestion. Like Moses says, take the high road. It's just a couple stupid thousand dollars, you'd be bickering about.

But if two of you are already bitter towards the third, and already view them as a freeloader you never want to see again, then sell the car and all other assets, and divy up by 3.

Either way, sorry for your loss.

+1

If you love your siblings, this situation is fraught with peril.

I can think of 2 different friends who acted as executors (?) for their parent's estates and their siblings all thought they got cheated.

In one case, the friend sold his mother's house to settle her estate and paid money out of his own pocket (his mother owed more than house was worth). His brother always thought he "kept all the money for himself".

In another case, the friend spent weeks fixing up his parents house for sale, dealing with realtors, etc. His brother and sister ended up mad at him because they thought he could have held out for more money on the house.

Both of these friends are the nicest type of persons and I'm sure they did nothing to deserve being treated this way by their siblings.

When my Dad passes 100 years from now (he's only 80) all I really want are some sentimental things (family photos), my brother and sister can have everything else.
-Chris

whether or not the car was worn by the sibling who drove it the last years is besides the point, since that was an arrangement with the owner of the car, when still alive...

so if you want to split it up
either sell it , and split the cash
or stick a fair value on it, and let the person driving it pay out the other 2

frankly, 4 grand split 3 ways is hardly worth arguing over amongst siblings..

If it were me, and it was my brother driving that car, i'de say keep the thing

It's not like we are talking a high value exotic sports car now is it

Here's a potentially relevant question: Was the car's title transferred to the child, or was it still in the mother's name at the time of her death? My opinion is the same either way, but if ownership was legally transferred that makes things more cut and dry...

This is a sad story.

I have watched my wife's family fight over petty stuff like the "Stradivarius" violin that was Grandfather's burning hot attic until one of the cousins found it. :rolleyes: After years they have worked out some of the differences.

Petty stuff like this isn't worth it. It ain't bringing mom back. Unless you all were waiting for her to die to get that Buick or the $4000. :rolleyes:

Let it go...really.

+1 high road

You didn't have to purchase a car, so you got 7 years worth of a free car (think of it as 7 years free on a lease car).


cake splitting method:
If 2 siblings fight over cake then let one cut it and the other choose the piece they want.
The one who cuts gets the remaining piece and then no longer can complain about the size difference since they were the one who cut it ;)

Offer to let other sibling to sell car and then to split the cash 3 ways. Then you and the other remaining sibling can complain about not having it sold for a better value.

If it comes up that car wasn't maintained enough, bring up the point that you could ask a professional to value the car being at rest with "NO" maintainance for 7 years.


Me and my step-brothers made an agreement that we will choose sedimental items first and then split the rest. I made it very clear that I'm an NOT going to get involved over petty money arguments and will be an arseh@le if they even think of trying.


My youngest brother who is only a half brother is getting everything spoon fed to him. The rest of us got squat. I told my step-brothers that it is part of life and deal with it. We all hate it but what can you do? Financials are just the way they are. Previously my parents had a rough time of making it. Now, they are making it ... life sucks but I will not allow any family member pull up crap about who got what. I got squat while my sister is making out like a bandit. tough luck for me.

I know I am rambling but ... I guess I really want to say is that I'm not going to be a nice guy if my half brother, step-brothers or sister is going to be a gold digger. We are family (blood relation or not!) and I'm NOT going to let stupid money influence or relationship.

+1

Divide the $4000 by three. Each kid should get $1333. Then deduct the cost of storing it for the length of time, insurance, and general maintenance. That will probably equal the $1333 owed to the other two. Just let the 3rd have it basically.