DEAR DEIDRE: I AM worried that my parents are going to leave me in a very difficult position after they’ve died.
They own two adjoining houses, live in one and rent the other out for now.
They are in their 70s and plan to make wills leaving both to me, because my older brother has massive debts and an alcohol problem.
I am 33 and have a wife and children. They want me to live in their house and let my brother live rent-free in the other. The trouble with this is that he has drinking parties and invites horrible women. Having him next door would be a nightmare.
I was thinking maybe I could sell both houses and live elsewhere but Mum guessed my thoughts and said she wants me to take care of her home and garden.
I realise this is all in the future but it worries me.
DEIDRE SAYS: What you do with property you inherit will be your decision.
Your mother may say she wants everything to be kept just as it is, but she won’t be there and it’s unfair to make such demands.
I expect your wife has pretty clear feelings about all this too – what mother would want to raise her children with drinking parties next door?
Maybe creating a garden in your mother’s memory wherever you do choose to live will help you feel better about not doing exactly as she stipulates after her death.
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