Seeking Legal Counsel Regarding Intestate Succession And Unfulfilled Promise In Texas

Location: Texas

I'm reaching out for guidance on a complex inheritance situation, hoping to find a path toward resolution. Changing names for privacy.

My father (Ricky) passed away in 2016, leaving behind my mother (Lucy) and his three children: myself (Amy), my brother Charles, and our stepsister Ethyl.

The Heart of the Matter: Dad was facing significant medical debts and ultimately lost our family's generational farmland to foreclosure. In an attempt to save the land for his children, Mom urgently requested help from Ethyl and her husband Fred, who verbally agreed to "purchase" it from the creditor to temporarily hold it in the family. The understanding was that Charles and I (both underage at the time) would repay them along with a reasonable interest to be agreed upon later.

Crucially, this agreement stemmed from a shared desire to honor Dad's wish of the land being equally divided amongst his children upon his and Mom's passing. This wish was widely known within our family and even acknowledged by Dad's lawyer and the farmland lessee. However, it was never formalized in writing or a will.

The Roadblock: Despite repeated attempts, Ethyl and Fred have refused to uphold their end of the agreement. They've declined to discuss repayment terms or the land's rightful distribution, even after offers exceeding the original purchase amount. This leaves Charles, Mom, and me deeply troubled, especially given assurances given by Ethyl and Fred to Dad on his deathbed, my uncle (Ricky's brother), and us regarding honoring the agreement.

Seeking Clarity and Counsel: Over a decade has passed, and the situation carries significant emotional and financial weight. I seek legal counsel regarding:

- The enforceability of this verbal agreement in Texas, considering promissory estoppel and relevant statutes of limitations.

- Potential legal avenues to compel Ethyl and Fred to honor their commitment and fairly distribute the land as per our father's intent.

- Strategies for navigating this sensitive family matter while advocating for our rightful inheritance.

I understand a lawyer's consultation is ultimately necessary, but I deeply appreciate any insights into these complex legal aspects and potential pathways forward. This situation weighs heavily on our hearts, and finding a just resolution would provide much-needed closure and healing for our family.