not willing to settle

[MNBASS]

Me and my brother inherited a cabin in northern mn in 84' fom my dad. But my dad gave
life estate to his girlfriend. She moved out in 95' but still had life
estate. My brother wanted out but we could not sell because of the life
estate so I had it appraised for $150,000 (in 96')in a an verbal agreement
that I would pay him off. Since then I have made 2 payments of $31,000 and
$10,000 last july he died his wife now wants half of the money for the
cabin. Since 96' my family and I have renovated it completey and maitained the
cabin. they have not paid any uitilitys, assesments, mantanince
construction costs or help with the labor. And the value of the cabin is
now 480,000. How can she reep the benefits of me and my familys sweet
equity and money that we have out into this? can I file for eminent domain
since the have NOT helped financialy or labor or shown interest? They have paid 1/3 of the taxes each year for 5 of the last 13 years.

[Ohiogal]

Originally Posted by MNBASS

Me and my brother inherited a cabin in northern mn in 84' fom my dad. But my dad gave
life estate to his girlfriend. She moved out in 95' but still had life
estate. My brother wanted out but we could not sell because of the life
estate so I had it appraised for $150,000 (in 96')in a an verbal agreement
that I would pay him off. Since then I have made 2 payments of $31,000 and
$10,000 last july he died his wife now wants half of the money for the
cabin. Since 96' my family and I have renovated it completey and maitained the
cabin. they have not paid any uitilitys, assesments, mantanince
construction costs or help with the labor. And the value of the cabin is
now 480,000. How can she reep the benefits of me and my familys sweet
equity and money that we have out into this? can I file for eminent domain
since the have NOT helped financialy or labor or shown interest? They have paid 1/3 of the taxes each year for 5 of the last 13 years.

Verbal agreements are NO GOOD for real estate transactions. If he is on the deed, his wife may be part owner at this juncture depending on how the deed was written. Statute of frauds prohibits real estate transactions for sale of property to be conducted verbally.