Dealing with inherited property is rarely simple. But when multiple heirs are involved, it gets even messier.

One sibling wants to sell fast. Another wants to fix it up and wait. Someone else hasn’t even responded to your texts.

As a real estate professional, you’re not just managing a deal, you’re managing family dynamics, grief, indecision, and legal gray zones.

This article breaks down:

• Why heir disputes happen

• How to spot a deal worth pursuing (vs. one that’s not ready)

• What to say when heirs don’t agree

• How to keep communication flowing without taking sides

• What to do legally when one heir won’t sign

Let’s get you the tools to navigate these tricky situations like a pro.

Why Heirs Often Disagree

When multiple people inherit a property, they bring different:

• Emotional attachments ,  childhood memories, family tension, unresolved grief

• Financial realities ,  some need the money now, others don’t

• Life priorities ,  distance, health, or lack of time

• Legal assumptions ,  misunderstandings about who gets what or how decisions are made

And often, there’s no clear plan or executor in charge, just a group of people trying to “figure it out.”

Step 1: Find Out Who Actually Has Authority

Your first job is to identify the decision-makers.

Ask:

• “Has the property officially gone through probate?”

• “Is there a will?”

• “Is there a personal representative or executor assigned?”

If there’s no probate, the title may still be in the deceased’s name, which means no one can legally sell yet.

If probate has started, the executor is usually the one with authority to sign, but they may still want consensus from the family.

Don’t guess. Get clear before you waste time pitching a deal that can’t be closed.

Step 2: Talk to the Right Heir First

Try to start with the heir who:

• Has the most influence (family leader, executor, oldest sibling)

• Has shown the most motivation to sell

• Is actually responsive

Build trust with them first. If they’re on board, it’s easier to bring others along.

Ask:

“Do you think the rest of the family is on the same page about selling?”
“Has anyone voiced strong concerns about the timing or price?”
“Would it help if I offered something in writing you could share?”

Step 3: Acknowledge the Emotional Weight (Without Getting Sucked In)

Even when heirs agree on the facts, they may struggle emotionally.

You’ll hear things like:

• “It was my mom’s house. I’m not ready to let it go.”

• “He just wants the money and doesn’t care about the memories.”

• “I haven’t even been able to go inside yet.”

When emotions come up, don’t redirect too quickly. Just acknowledge it.

“Totally understandable. It’s not just a house, it’s a lot of history.”
“I know everyone’s coming from different places emotionally. I’ll do my best to be fair to all sides.”

Stay neutral. You’re not a therapist or a referee, you’re a guide.

Step 4: Offer a Clear Option That Buys Time and Eases Tension

Sometimes the heirs want different things because they’re not ready to make a decision yet.

Here’s how to create momentum without forcing anything:

“Here’s a soft offer, no pressure at all. This gives everyone something to look at. If it makes sense down the line, great. If not, I’m happy to stay in touch.”

You can also offer flexibility:

• Close quickly, but delay move-out

• Let them leave belongings and clean out later

• Split proceeds easily with separate checks

• Hold open the offer for 30+ days

The goal isn’t to win the debate, it’s to offer a path forward that no one has to decide on today.

Step 5: If One Heir Refuses, What Are Your Options?

If the majority of heirs agree, but one person refuses to sign or engage, what happens?

It depends on the title structure:

Option A: One Person Has Legal Authority

If the property is in the estate and one person is the court-appointed executor, they can sign without everyone agreeing.

This is common and clean. Just verify it with documentation.

Option B: Multiple Heirs Are on Title

If the property is already deeded jointly to multiple heirs, everyone listed must sign.

If one refuses, the others may need to:

• Buy out that person’s share

• Negotiate a separate agreement

• Take legal action (partition suit, not ideal)

In these cases, step back and let the family work it out. Stay available, but don’t push. Keep the door open with:

“When you’re aligned and ready, I’ll still be here.”

Step 6: Use Goliath to Manage the Moving Parts

Heir situations involve long timelines, multiple decision-makers, and highly emotional follow-up.

Goliath helps you manage it all by:

• Tagging leads as “heir-owned,” “probate,” or “needs family agreement”

• Tracking separate communication threads with each heir

• Automating check-ins that feel personal but don’t eat your time

• Keeping motivation scores updated based on behavior and responses

You stay organized. They feel supported. The deal moves forward at the right pace.

It’s Not About Winning, It’s About Navigating

You won’t force multiple heirs to agree.

But if you:

• Stay patient

• Listen without judgment

• Offer flexible solutions

• And keep communication clean…

You’ll often be the one they come back to, once the dust settles and emotions cool.

Because you weren’t just trying to close a deal.
You were the one who understood the family dynamic.

And in tricky inheritance situations, that’s what really gets the contract signed.