No will, three children, one house

What happened

A father died without a will, leaving a house in Elmwood and three adult children: one living in the house, two out of state. Nobody could sell, insure or even repair the roof until someone had authority to act.

What I did

I petitioned the Probate Court to appoint the daughter who lived there as administrator, with her siblings’ written consent. While that was pending I drew up an agreement for her to buy out the other two over three years.

How it ended

Administration was granted at the first hearing. The house stayed in the family, the roof was fixed that summer, and the estate closed seven months after the first call.