Trust is so hard to come by.
Family- Two brothers, two sisters.
One brother... the most conscientious, passes away, but had the foresight to prepare an ironclad will, with the lawyer recommended by his bank, who would also be the executor, to avoid any hard feelings among the heirs. the inheritance "split" was to be equal... three ways.
So far,so good. A simple will, all debts paid. Nothing pending.
#1. Bank lawyer... Delay, delay , delay.... for 2 1/2 years. $1Million in liquid assets held by the bank but giving interest @2% when the market (even money markets) was paying 7% to8%.
#2. Surviving brother was a friend of the lawyer, and would inherit the home, value to be included in the monetary settlement. He was also a friend of the real estate appraiser who valued the home @ $130K, even though the deceased brother had paid more than $300K three years before.
#3. One sister was ascribed the mahogany bedroom set which was 1 year old... and for which deceased brother had paid $1500... Assessed at $5000 for ascribing estate $value (remember... to be evenly split).
#4. Automobile ascribed to other sister... three years old. Book value $10,000, assessed @ $19,000.
much more, but if you do the math, you can see where the "even split" would end up, and the importance of the executor/lawyer... especially one affiliated with a bank.
..........................................
We stood on the sidelines, and watched in horror.