39 of 50

Write now Article Tools

A warm south wind blasts across the baked honeycomb mud flats, as a lone, lost figure slowly crawls on. Each movement of the dragging figure kicks up more dust, whisked away in the breeze. Above the struggling figure, perched anxiously in the branches of the Joshua tree, are several vultures. The sun burns down upon them as they watch the figure struggling on, their beaks appear as smiles, their eyes filled with greed, their only focus, the inevitable death of the victim in their gaze. Though such a scene is common in cartoons or Westerns, it is not a pleasant one. Sadly, such a scene may be a proper metaphor that aptly describes children and other beneficiaries as they greedily await the death of their benefactor. Even worse, once that death comes, I have seen many such families torn asunder by greed, hurt by supposed slightings, made bitter by perceived unfairness. Like the vultures they fight for what they perceive to be the choicest morsels, sacrificing love and unity for some concept of worldly gain.

Contrast that to the much-preferred scene of loving family members, gathering together to celebrate the life of their recently passed loved one. How wonderful to see them rejoicing in the reunion as family members gather from many lands and places to relish old memories and to make new ones. After the funeral, they meet together in kindness and love, to divide the inheritance, maintaining the fond memories of their beneficiary, feeling gratitude for their siblings, and honestly seeking to fulfill the wishes of their Benefactor.

While clearly the later scene is preferable, it is by no means guaranteed. However, there are steps that Benefactors can and should take to improve the likelihood that the events surrounding their death, and subsequent division of whatever inheritance may remain, are ones of peace and unity. The following steps will go a long way to that achieving that end!

Resolve Conflicts Early. Often the greed and rancor that arise at the readings of the will, or dissolution of estates, are reflections of long held feelings of injustice or jealousy. Since there are no perfect parents, most families will have some deep-seated resentments or feelings of injustice. A wise benefactor will work while still alive to resolve those issues and bring healing before his or her passing aggravates the long ignored pains.
First, by nature of their life experiences a benefactor will already know of some perceived resentments among beneficiaries. Therefore they should

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Ways for siblings to divide an inheritance?
We want to hear your view. Write now!