My brother, Tom, rang me up yesterday and asked if I could just write off my share of the family farm in his favour. He says he spent the last three years looking after dad, so that should count.
I left the family house as soon as I started university at Leeds, and after I graduated I stayed in the city, landed a solid job in an accounting firm, got married, and we had our son Oliver.
Tom also got married, but he kept living with Mum and Dad for a while. I cant say anything bad about him hes a decent bloke and his wife Sarah is lovely. They stayed under the same roof for years, then eventually had two kids of their own. Even though we were on our own and still visited the farm often, my fatherinlaw George still gave us a car as a gift.
In the summers wed all head off on a break to the coast and we’d chip in with the garden and house chores for Mum and Dad. Poppy, the neighbour, was always close to Mum; everyone wanted to lend a hand. Three years ago Mum passed away and I couldnt help as much as I wanted. On top of that the global recession hit, and I had to pick up extra shifts just to keep the flat.
We barely had time to go into town any more. Last month Dad died. We organised the funeral together and split the costs evenly between us and Tom.
Now Toms calling again, wanting me to pass my share of the farm over to him. His only reason is that he cared for Dad for three years. I was taken aback Dad was on a modest state pension, and even used some of that to help his grandchildren. How could an old man really need money, especially on a farm?
He just walks away from it all, saying he understands everything. Im not sure what he means by caring. Mum and Dad never said the farm would go to him alone. I dont want to ruin our relationship, but I also dont get why I should give up something thats mine. Ive got a loan in pounds to pay off, and Oliver could still get a bit from his grandparents.
Were stuck not knowing what to do. I told Tom I couldnt give a straight answer I need to discuss it with Emily first. How do we sort this out without tearing the family apart?
