Question from a reader:
My 86-year-old parent sold a property left by my father and received about 50 million yen, but normally the children should also receive a share of the inheritance, and nothing has come to us yet. I am considering asking my parent to pay 2 million yen for renovations during this opportunity, but if I do this, will
I face complaints from my siblings later? If this comes to light, are there any tax or legal issues, or regulations regarding people over a certain age that I should be aware of? Also, I believe that when a property is sold, the children should legally receive a share of the inheritance, so if there are any knowledgeable individuals on this point, I would appreciate your insights.

Considering the Inheritance Left by Parents and Its Distribution

Recently, I received a question from someone whose 86-year-old parent has passed away. They sold a property left by their father and received about 50 million yen, but the children have not yet received any distribution. How should one think about this situation? Let’s also look at the legal perspective regarding the payment of 2 million yen for renovations to the parent.

Property Sale and Distribution of Inheritance

First, let’s confirm how the proceeds from the sale of the property are treated as inheritance. Typically, when an inheritance occurs, all assets left by the deceased should be distributed to the legal heirs. This distribution is done according to the Civil Code if there is no will, following the legal share of inheritance. For example, if there are multiple children, the assets are usually distributed equally. Therefore, if there is a profit of 50 million yen from the sale, the amount to be distributed among the children will be determined according to each person’s legal share. If you want to avoid disputes among siblings in the future, it is important to have proper discussions.

Risks of Paying Renovation Costs to the Parent

Next, let’s consider the implications of paying 2 million yen to the parent for renovations. This could potentially pose legal issues. Especially if other siblings are unaware of this, it could lead to trouble if it is discovered later. This is because a sum of 2 million yen is significant and could create a sense of inequality regarding the inheritance. How to handle renovation costs is a very delicate issue. If this payment is made, other siblings might complain, asking, “Why did that sibling receive money when I got nothing?” Considering this, it could also affect the trust within the family, so careful judgment is necessary.

Legal Perspective

Legally, the handling of inheritance assets is strictly defined. Even if the parent is alive, laws apply to the management and distribution of inheritance assets. Additionally, there are issues related to inheritance tax, so special care is needed when dealing with high-value assets. Inheritance tax is calculated based on the total value of the assets received by the heirs and is taxed based on the valuation of the assets at the time of inheritance. If the parent neglects to handle wills or inheritance-related procedures after disposing of the assets, the burden of inheritance tax may increase. Particularly, how the assets are distributed after the sale of the property can become very complicated if the heirs are not satisfied.

Consensus Building Among Siblings in Inheritance

To avoid disputes among siblings, solid consensus building is necessary. It is especially recommended to have discussions while the parent is still alive. By discussing views on inheritance and how to distribute assets, future troubles can be prevented. It is important for all siblings to gather while the parent is healthy and proceed while respecting each other’s opinions. I have heard stories of friends whose sibling relationships were strained due to inheritance issues. The absence of a will and the unknown intentions of the deceased led to significant upheaval in the family during the distribution of assets. Therefore, exchanging opinions about asset inheritance is a very important process.

Final Considerations

It is very understandable that the questioner has doubts about paying renovation costs to the parent. I have conveyed how the distribution of assets and the payment of renovation costs are treated legally, as well as the importance of consensus building among siblings. If disputes arise among siblings in the future, there is a possibility that it could escalate into legal issues, so seeking advice from professionals may be a good idea. Inheritance issues, intertwined with family circumstances and emotions, can sometimes be more complex than legal matters, requiring careful and sincere handling. Finally, to maintain relationships with the important family members, let’s actively engage in discussions about inheritance and aim for a resolution that everyone can agree on. This should help prevent future troubles.