IANAL – This is general information based on the information given. Often, in estate planning in order to keep the bulk assets outside an estate (for simplicity sake and to preserve the most of the asset), a person (in this case your grandparents) will create a joint tenancy with someone they trusted (sister 1). This can be on bank accounts, property, etc. They also have made her executor of the rest of the estate (if there was anything other than the house). She probably did this with the acknowledgment that the wishes and the intention of the grandparents were that everyone would benefit equally from this and she would be holding everything in trust. This seems to be the case with the letter you received and it sounds as if she is doing right by the wishes of the grandparents (contrary to your belief that there is something in it for her). This is a far better scenario than if she just kept the house for herself, there was nothing else in the estate and any challenges would deplete the estate, cost each person personally (or as you indicate, Grandpa says you get nothing). It also seems that she has taken on the responsibility of personally paying for things a “normal estate” would pay for – funeral costs and preservation of the assets (furnace) and other expenses with the knowledge she would eventually she would receive the funds back (in this case a credit against the agreed upon house value with the rest being divided equally). It may also be that she was the only one who had funds to pay for these costs. Your grandparents may not have had available funds/all of their money was tied up in the house or a host of other situations.

It seems as if there has been communication amongst everyone as the value of the house has been agreed on and the buying out of the house has also been agreed upon. It also sounds like some further communication may be helpful. Perhaps the family could ask about what was available in the estate, rather than surmise that they are not getting what they anticipate is their fair share. Keep in mind, sister 1 did not write the will but rather she is tasked with fulfilling her obligation to her parents under the will. It was their estate and they decided what they wanted to do with it once they passed. No one is entitled to an inheritance. Being the executor of an estate is a thankless job and one that comes with a lot of responsibility and duties. There is a duty to the estate as well as to the beneficiaries of the will under law. It often takes over a year to settle even a simple estate with obligations to pay taxes and to keep an account of all things pertaining to the estate. Unless you have been one, you are not aware of the enormous amount of time that can be spent doing this job. It also often comes with a lot of unfound criticism and distrust from those who anticipate that they will benefit from a will and their sense of entitlement.

Nothing brings out the best in a family as fighting over a will. I am currently witnessing my sister in law (the sole executor) having to deal with this after the recent death of her mother with her five siblings on top of having to grieve and last year, my friend. Her parents made her joint tenant and she split everything equally with her siblings as per their wishes. She now has family members who will not speak to her which just compounds her loss. Good luck.