Mishandled funds from trust and estate

[cheerysuz]

My parents left property which was to be sold and divided evenly among 4 siblings but due to the bad economy, my sister lived in it for 7 years, thinking the price would rise. She sold off parts of the land (did not give us any of the money) and then finally the rest of the estate and deducted a bunch of her expenses. She also sold furniture, silver and all kinds of household items and also did not split that with us. The money from the house sale, minus her (I believe illegal) expenses, is in escrow. I do not think she should have a quarter of whats left as she mismanaged the trusts. Should I get a lawyer? There is only $60,000 left.

 

[disagreeable]

I cannot see how a court rubber stamped this agreement. Was she the court appointed executor or was this all done informally?

 

[cheerysuz]

She was the executor and when that was all settled, she became the sole trustee. I can't see it either. One of the expenses she got was $9000 in accounting fees to pay for filing taxes for parents who had been dead for many years.

 

[army judge]

She was the executor and when that was all settled, she became the sole trustee. I can't see it either. One of the expenses she got was $9000 in accounting fees to pay for filing taxes for parents who had been dead for many years.

The honest siblings should hire an attorney and decide what action you wish to take.
I suppose after the investigation has been completed you'll discover the THIEF has nothing left to pay restitution to the honest three.
All you may have left is to speak with the local district attorney about criminal charges.
Or, the three of you could simply ostracize her from your presence.
That'll leave her alone, a family of one!
Whatever you do, the thre eof you should be unanimous and stick to your guns.

 

[cheerysuz]

The honest siblings should hire an attorney and decide what action you wish to take.
I suppose after the investigation has been completed you'll discover the THIEF has nothing left to pay restitution to the honest three.
All you may have left is to speak with the local district attorney about criminal charges.
Or, the three of you could simply ostracize her from your presence.
That'll leave her alone, a family of one!
Whatever you do, the thre eof you should be unanimous and stick to your guns.

Are you familiar with Vermont law or is this general advice about law? She does have a house that she has maintained so there might be some funds there. I really just want to make sure she does not get any of what is left. How do we do that? Also, I am the only one who doesn't want to just split what is left and be done with it - they are more forgiving. I am not going to prosecute.

Thanks for your help,

 

[army judge]

Are you familiar with Vermont law or is this general advice about law? She does have a house that she has maintained so there might be some funds there. I really just want to make sure she does not get any of what is left. How do we do that? Also, I am the only one who doesn't want to just split what is left and be done with it - they are more forgiving. I am not going to prosecute.

Thanks for your help,

Your help lies in a court of law. To get that help, you'll need to file a lawsuit. As you are one, and they are three, (1 thief and 2 who don't care), it appears you're on your own.
You can talk with a couple local attorneys, hear what they advise, consider the advice, make a decision.
You can file an action for partition, it only takes one of you to request that be ordered, the court will order the property sold, the proceeds divided among the heirs.

Otherwise, the thief will eventually pilfer it all, leaving the rest of you with memories, not money.