‘Go Yell At The Tombstone,’ Dave Ramsey Says After Birth Family Demands Condo And $100K Despite Uncle’s Written Will Leaving Them Nothing – Yahoo Finance

Grief quickly turned into conflict after a man found himself at the center of an inheritance fight he did not create.

Mike, a caller from Orange County, California, told “The Ramsey Show” that demands from his biological family surfaced days after his uncle’s death, despite a written will and trust that left them nothing.

He told hosts, personal finance experts Dave Ramsey and John Delony, that his uncle named him and his wife as executors and primary beneficiaries, leaving them the condo and most of the estate, while assigning a car and a small savings account to the uncle’s caretaker.

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Mike said he was adopted at birth and reconnected with his biological family about 20 years ago. While his twin chose not to reconnect with their biological family, Mike built relationships with his birth mother, half brother, and uncle.

“My uncle’s wishes — he clearly communicated to me — he didn’t want them having anything,” Mike told the hosts. He said his uncle became increasingly distant from other relatives over time and was explicit about his intentions regarding his estate.

After the uncle died, Mike said his birth mother and half brother began contacting him, claiming entitlement to the property.

His half brother demanded that the condo be sold immediately and that Mike send him $100,000. Mike said the situation created intense pressure as he dealt with family conflict and his responsibilities as executor.

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Ramsey said that an executor’s role is narrowly defined by law. He added that executors are required to carry out the written instructions of a will and trust and do not have discretion to revise or negotiate those terms.

“They don’t get to make up new wills. They don’t get to change the deal. They just have to do what the deal says,” Ramsey said.

He also said that failing to execute the estate as written could expose Mike to legal liability. Ramsey said Mike would be free to make personal decisions about any inherited property only after the estate is fully settled, but giving assets under pressure would not resolve the underlying conflict.

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As the discussion shifted to the emotional toll, Delony encouraged Mike to limit ongoing engagement with relatives making demands.

“Any more noise that you allow into your head is a choice you’re making,” Delony said, adding that continuing to absorb that pressure only compounds stress tied to decisions Mike did not make.

Ramsey agreed and advised Mike to let the will itself bear responsibility for the outcome. If relatives remain angry, he said, that anger should be directed toward the decision — not the executor enforcing it.

“If you want to be mad, go yell at the tombstone,” Ramsey said.

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This article 'Go Yell At The Tombstone,' Dave Ramsey Says After Birth Family Demands Condo And $100K Despite Uncle's Written Will Leaving Them Nothing originally appeared on Benzinga.com