Siblingship describes the unique relationship between siblings. Siblings begin their relationship at a young age, and if they are fortunate, they reach old age together. They experience joys and setbacks, they laugh and cry — and they fight. Through the fighting, they can learn conflict resolution. Spouses join us in our adult lives. Friends often come and go. But no other relationship is quite like a siblingship.
When siblings fight as kids, it’s over property and fairness. Parents make sure property is divided up fairly — they are the ones to “divide up the pie,” so siblings don’t fight over things as much.
When parents die, siblings are called home to “divide up the pie,” this time, without parental supervision. In my experience, adult siblings fight over the same things that they fought over when they were kids: property and fairness. However, the parents are no longer there to referee and help divide up the pie fairly.
Estate planning can minimize the risk of fighting when parents die. If parents and the estate planning attorney don’t spend enough time anticipating and planning to minimize the risk of fighting, there exists a risk of fracturing, or worse, destroying this unique, wonderful relationship — the siblingship.
STEPHEN B. YIM, ATTORNEY AT LAW
2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96826
808-524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com
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