Eldest brother shared parents’ 1,000-sq.m land plot with 7 siblings

Seven of us siblings and our families have been living together since our parents were alive while my eldest brother chose to live separately.

Previously, one of us asked our father to use the land’s title deed to back a bank loan to help that sibling start a business. However, the business was not successful.

When my father passed away, the bank refused to continue lending money to that sibling and they were unable to repay the loan and get the title deed back. At the time, every one of us contributed what little money we had to help out, but it was still not enough.

After that, my eldest brother shouldered the remaining debt and spent the following 15 years settling the debt to retrieve the family’s land plot. He then chose to share the land equally among all of us. Without him, the seven of us and our families may have had to live on the streets because the remaining debt was huge.

If we had made a big fuss over material things, we would have destroyed family ties and the house would have been seized by the bank. Families should help each other out in times of difficulty, not make things worse for them only to regret it later. Nothing beats familial bonds. I am very grateful for all that my eldest brother has done for us.

The story above was shared by reader Le Thai in response to recent articles about inheritance disputes ending up in court.

Other readers also commented on these articles with their viewpoints:

Reader longlt00502:

"It is very easy for well-off people to dismiss concerns about inheritance. However, financial hardship can make you acutely aware of the importance of receiving your fair share. For example, when you invest in real estate and the property bubble bursts, you may lose the land you invested in and face the pressure to repay debt. Suddenly, you will feel the need to get your share of the inheritance.

Therefore, clear communication about inheritance is crucial. Vague pronouncements about "who gets what" only sow confusion and potential conflict down the line."

Reader binhnhuongavc.crane:

"My principle is to never hope for land or house inheritance. Firstly, ancestral land should be lived on, not sold for financial gain. Secondly, it is not worth sacrificing family ties for money. Finally, it is crucial for parents to clearly resolve things while they are healthy to avoid putting their children in a bind later on."

So what is your viewpoint on this matter?

*These comments were translated into English by AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.