How Many “Wrongs” in This Estate Dispute…?

The New York Times Ethicists take on an estate dispute.  Here’s how it starts:

In order to decrease his net worth before beginning divorce proceedings, my brother invested $600,000 in an apartment in my father’s name. Years later, he had our mother co-sign a business loan. When the business failed, my mother was sued for $3 million she didn’t have. After she died of cancer, my father fought the suit for many years. At 93, he settled for a $1.1 million loss. Unable to live his accustomed lifestyle, he approached my brother with the expectation that my brother would supplement his income. When my brother refused, my father sold the apartment and kept the $600,000.

 

When my father died, he left his estate to be split between my two adult sons…. 

Perhaps you have already guessed that “brother” is asserting a claim against the estate to recover “his” $600,000.

For the full analysis, listen to the podcast or read the shortened discussion here.