Selling Inherited Property with Siblings in Michigan? Here’s What to Do When One Won’t Cooperate.
What You Can Do When a Sibling Refuses to Sell an Inherited Home
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One Sibling Living in the Inherited House and Refusing to Sell?
If you’re trying to sell an inherited house with your siblings — and one of them is living there and won’t cooperate — you’re not alone.
This is one of the most common issues people face when selling inherited property with siblings in Michigan.
You might be:
- Sharing ownership but not sharing control
- Paying property taxes or bills while they live rent-free
- Stuck waiting while nothing moves forward
It feels unfair. Frustrating. Like you’re trapped.
The good news? There are options.
You don’t have to keep putting your life on hold — and you don’t have to start a family war, either.
Let’s walk through what’s really going on — and what you can do next.
Why Selling Inherited Property with Siblings Gets Complicated
When a parent passes away and leaves a home to multiple siblings, the hope is that everyone will work together.
But it doesn’t always play out that way. Sometimes one sibling moves into the home and refuses to leave.
Other times, someone’s emotionally attached and refuses to sell — even if they can’t maintain the house or afford to buy the others out.
Here’s what usually causes the conflict:
- Everyone has equal ownership, but only one sibling controls the home
- No clear agreement on what should happen next
- Emotional baggage, grief, and fear clouding decisions
If you’re thinking, “I just want to sell my share of inherited property and move on,” you’re not alone.
And in most cases, you can — even if your sibling disagrees.
Gloria B. - Clinton Township, Michigan
“Thank you for contacting me. I didn’t know what I was going to do with this house"
Need to Sell an Inherited or Probate House Fast in Michigan? Let’s Make It Easy.
Talk to Dennis Now – (734) 224-5977
Can I Force My Sibling to Sell the Inherited House?
Yes — but it’s not that simple.
When multiple siblings inherit a home together in Michigan, each one has equal ownership rights.
That means one person can’t make decisions without the others — but it also means you can take legal action if things are at a standstill.
The legal process is called a partition action.
A judge can:
- Order the property to be sold and the money split
- Or allow one sibling to buy out the others
But here’s the catch: partition lawsuits are expensive, time-consuming, and often tear families apart.
Before going that route, many Michigan families explore other solutions — like selling their share of the property or working with a professional home buyer who understands these situations.
What Are Your Options When One Sibling Won’t Sell?
If your sibling won’t sell the inherited house, here are some real options to consider:
1. Try Talking Again
Sometimes, a calm conversation — especially with a neutral third party involved — can help break the deadlock. We’ve seen situations turn around when people feel heard and supported.
Yes, you can sell your share of inherited property — even if your sibling doesn’t want to sell the whole house.
We help people do this in Michigan all the time.
There are legal ways to structure the sale so you can move on, even if your sibling stays put.
3. Offer a Buyout
If your sibling really wants to keep the house, they might be able to buy your share.
We can help you both explore creative options to make that work — including cash offers or financing support.
4. File a Partition Lawsuit (Last Resort)
Sometimes, going to court is the only way to force a sale. We recommend this only when every other path has failed.
5. Sell the Whole Property to a Cash Buyer
This is often the cleanest solution.
We buy inherited homes in Michigan from families just like yours — even when one sibling is living there, or when there’s no clear agreement.
We’ll buy as-is, handle all the details, and help you and your sibling move forward (together or separately).
"When you mentioned that you would give us an offer within 24 hours and then close quickly I didn’t really believe that we would have the house sold in only 2 weeks. I’m glad I found you.”
Michelle L. - Michigan
Are You Trying to Understand Your Options?
We'll Be Straight With You - Even If That Means Referring You to a Real Estate Agent.
Talk to Dennis Now – (734) 224-5977
How to Keep the Peace While Getting Closure
Let’s be real — this probably isn’t just about the house.
Maybe your sibling is stuck in the past, or scared to let go. Maybe they’re overwhelmed and don’t know how to move forward.
And maybe you feel guilty even thinking about forcing a sale.
But you deserve peace, too.
Selling inherited property with siblings isn’t easy — especially when emotions are high. But there are respectful ways to move forward without tearing the family apart.
We’ve helped many Michigan families through this exact situation.
What we’ve learned is simple:
- Most people aren’t trying to be difficult — they’re just stuck
- A clear plan and a calm voice can change everything
- Sometimes, just knowing your rights can change the conversation
Ready to Move Forward — Even If Your Sibling Isn’t?
If you’re thinking, “I need to sell my share of inherited property and get on with my life,” we’re here to help.
At Dennis Buys Houses, we specialize in helping Michigan families with tricky inherited home situations.
Whether one sibling is refusing to sell, living in the property, or just avoiding the conversation — we can help you find a way out.
Here’s what we offer:
- Cash offers for inherited homes — even with one sibling living inside
- Help navigating buyouts, legal options, or shared ownership sales
- No agents, fees, or repairs just simple solutions, fast
You don’t need to fight. You don’t need to wait.
You just need to talk to someone who’s done this before. Let’s start with a conversation.
We’re ready when you are.
Know Someone Who Needs to Sell Fast? We Pay Referral Fees.
Talk to Dennis Now – (734) 224-5977
We Help Michigan Families Navigate These Situations Every Day
At Dennis Buys Houses, we’re not just cash buyers — we’re trusted problem-solvers who help Michigan families find real answers during difficult times. We understand how complicated it can be when one sibling wants to sell an inherited home and the others don’t. We’ve helped people just like you:
- Sell inherited homes as-is — even with a sibling still living inside
- Settle estates without the drama
- Avoid court by creating fair, fast solutions everyone can live with
If you're dealing with a tough family situation and don’t know where to turn, we’re here to help. Whether you're ready to sell now or just want to explore your options, we’ll listen first — and guide you from there.
Start here:
- Learn how we buy houses in Michigan: How It Works
- See what makes us different: Why Choose Us
- Ready to get a cash offer? Contact Us Today
No pressure. No judgment. Just real help when you need it.
See why so many people recommend us...
“Mr. Fassett – thank you for working with us to buy my Mom’s home after she passed away. When you mentioned that you would give us an offer within 24 hours and then close quickly I didn’t really believe that we would have the house sold in only 2 weeks. I’m glad I found you.”
Michelle L. - Michigan
“Thanks for buying my Mother’s home. It was a big help that you were able to buy it without us having to clean it out and get it ready to sell. My mother had accumulated lots of stuff and after the stress of her long illness I was exhausted and I dreaded dealing with all of it. I also liked it that you gave me a very fair price for the home. I’m on a fixed income and that really helped a lot.”
Henry G. - Michigan
“Dennis – thank you for helping us with our Mom’s home. This was a very traumatic experience for us, and we appreciated your patience with all the emotions we experienced during the process. You were really patient and understanding with us during the sale process, and we’re sure that Mom’s home will be in good hands. God Bless.”
Claudia and Nancy M. - Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
Selling Inherited Property with Siblings in Michigan
What if my sibling won’t agree to sell the inherited house?
We deal with this exact situation all the time. If your sibling is refusing to sell, we can help you explore legal and practical options — including selling your share or buying out your sibling.
Can I sell my share of inherited property if my sibling wants to keep the house?
Yes, in most cases you can. We’ve helped many people in Michigan sell their portion of an inherited home — even when another sibling still lives there.
Do all siblings have to agree to sell an inherited home in Michigan?
Ideally, yes — but it’s not always required. If one or more siblings won’t cooperate, there are still ways forward. We can help you navigate the process and find a solution that works.
Can Dennis Buys Houses help even if one sibling lives in the house?
Yes! We specialize in buying inherited homes — even when someone’s still living there. We’ll work with your family to create a respectful, fair solution.
Will I have to go to court to sell the house if we can’t agree?
Not always. A partition lawsuit is a last resort, and we can often help you avoid it. We’ll show you all your options first — including ways to sell without court involvement.
Do you buy inherited houses as-is, even with damage or personal items inside?
Yes, we buy homes in any condition. No need to clean, repair, or remove anything. We make the process simple and stress-free.
How fast can you buy our inherited house in Michigan?
We can usually close in as little as 7–10 days. If you need more time to work things out with your siblings, we can move at your pace.
Do I need a lawyer to sell inherited property with siblings?
Not always, but we recommend getting legal advice in complex situations. We also work with local attorneys and can connect you to trusted professionals if needed.
What if the house is still in probate?
That’s okay — we’ve helped many families sell homes still in probate. We can guide you through the process or refer you to someone who can.
How do I get started if I want to talk about my options?
Just contact us — no pressure, no obligation. We’ll listen, learn about your unique situation, and walk you through what’s possible. We’re here to help, not to sell.