Family disputes

There are few families, however harmonious they might be most of the time, which never have to go through an uncomfortable dispute.

More often than not, these might involve dealing with how a property can be shared as part of an inheritance, the disbursement of an estate, or succession in business started by a parent or older relative.

All too often, these conversations take place against the emotionally-charged backdrop of a loved one dying, which results in fraught words being exchanged. Naturally, we are all upset after losing someone precious, regardless of the different relationships we enjoyed with that person.

The easiest option is to steer clear of a family confrontation, to brush it under the carpet, especially if being upfront about issues that have existed for many years is outside the normal framework of conversations with relatives. Many families rarely address sensitive problems and allow them to fester. If there is a dispute that cannot be avoided, however, it is undoubtedly sensible to tackle it head-on. Putting the conversation to one side will only cause even more pain in the future.

If there is a feeling that one family member might be receiving preferential treatment over another, it is far better to talk it through, and to reach a resolution amongst those who are affected. By talking through a dispute instead of avoiding it, there could be a way of reaching a solution which might not be perfect for everyone but arrives at a compromise which goes some way to healing the division.

A conversation about a family dispute can sometimes be the starting point for a closer relationship; it can bring loved ones together after years of distance caused by a perceived unfairness or misunderstanding. It is always worth trying.

We are here to guide you and offer advice, whatever your situation. For further support and to speak to one of our experts, please fill in our online enquiry form or contact conversations@hunterslaw.com.