Introduction
The task of dividing the property of relatives after their death is complicated by the collision of interests of all people involved in the process. However, the majority of issues in this respect can be easily avoided if they follow a set of recommendations developed by specialists. For this, the affected persons should be aware of what means for resolving the challenges available to them. Therefore, it is critical to understand the root causes of conflict in this situation and how they can be efficiently addressed to meet everyone’s needs.
Summary of the Articles
The four articles examined for the above objectives narrate the ways to settle an estate. The first source written by Morris (n.d.) speaks about three rules corresponding to performing this task peacefully and provides details on their practical implementation. The second publication prepared by Jio (2008) emphasizes the importance of feelings over the value of objects in the matter and suggests appropriate interventions. The third source presented by Clayman (2015) tells how to avoid problems in the absence of estate plans using six different methods. Finally, the fourth article by Weltman (2021) is about tips for siblings to manage their relationships after their parent’s death. In this way, these resources effectively underpin one another in clarifying the coping techniques.
Root Causes for Conflict
The mentioned articles describe varying root causes for conflict emerging in the process of settling an estate between relatives. Thus, Morris (n.d.) claims that they include people’s inability to listen to one another and effectively communicate. Jio (2008) writes that the reason individuals cannot find common ground is the fact that one’s feelings are inevitably hurt in the process. Clayman (2015) specifies that the issue stems purely from the presence of financial interests, and Weltman (2021) states that it is connected to the combination of money and emotions. Hence, the varying needs of people involved in the conflicts serve as its basis.
Suggestions to Reduce Conflict
The articles also contain several useful suggestions on how to eliminate the problems when settling an estate. According to Morris (n.d.), the solution is to involve only the immediate heirs, avoid removing property without discussing actions with others and refer to psychological differences to establish communication. As follows from the article written by Jio (2008), discussing the will and other matters before one’s death is the best method, and hiring professionals can help in the lack thereof. Clayman (2015) adds that people should be clear about their objectives and look for consensus instead of obtaining more significant benefits than others. Weltman mentions the gifting strategy of distributing possessions and taking turns in picking items. In the end, the measures combine both the decisions made when the relatives are still alive and those implemented afterward.
My Approach to Negotiating
My approach to negotiating a share of the estate in this situation will be avoiding unnecessary discussions and focusing solely on the items evoking conflict. The former solution seems beneficial for guaranteeing that gifts and other belonging acquired similarly are not involved. In turn, the latter idea is critical for clarifying the tasks. In other words, the application of these measures is essential at the initial stage of discussion; however, it can be complemented by interventions of specialists if a compromise is not reached.
Conclusion
To summarize, the resolution of conflicts related to the property of relatives that their offspring are trying to share is conditional upon their willingness to cooperate. The problems tend to include financial and emotional aspects, which should be adequately addressed by the participants in discussions. Reducing conflict is not always possible by using the described techniques, and outside assistance might be required for this purpose.
References
Clayman, A. (2015). How to: Avoid family conflict when there’s no estate plan. Modern Loss. Web.
Jio, S. (2008). Inheritance battles – How to avoid them. CNN. Web.
Morris, A.E. (n.d.). How to settle an estate peacefully. Legacy Connect. Web.
Weltman, B. (2021). Tips to help siblings avoid or resolve an estate battle. Investopedia. Web.