“Mum, You’re Already 65. It’s Time to See the Solicitor and Sort Out the Will for the House,” My Sister Reminded Her During a Family Visit

Mum, youre 65 now. Its time to see a solicitor and sort out the house for inheritance, my sister was nagging when she came round to visit.

Only a week ago, my mum celebrated her 65th birthday. She didnt want a grand affair. She just invited us over for a quiet afternoon at home. I bought her a lovely bouquet of roses, a warm dressing gown, and a pair of cosy slippers to match. I slipped £100 into a card toothought it might come in handy.

Unfortunately, my wife and children couldnt make it. Our son came down with something, our daughter had a sports competition, and Rita was sent off to London on a last-minute business trip. Still, the kids made a huge drawing for their granwith our whole family standing together outside her house.

My younger sister, Emily, turned up later that day, coming in from the countryside.

Oh, I forgot to get Mum anything,” she whispered to me. Say the dressing gown is from both of us, will you?

All right, but did you forget that this is a big birthday? Its not just any day, I replied.

Oh Matthew, you have no idea the trouble Ive got at work! Emily muttered.

My sisters always been a bit helpless. She had a baby at nineteen with a lad she met at a hostel, but he left her without a care and doesnt even pay child support. Back then, I was working in construction and used to send her money from time to time, so she could buy food, baby formula, or clothes for my niece.

I even managed to arrange a nursery place for Sophie and found Emily a job at my mates shop, where they needed an assistant. But she only lasted three months before she quit.

For years, shes scraped by here and theresometimes doing nails in a salon, sometimes doing eyelash extensions for extra cash. Last summer, she went to France for seasonal work, leaving Sophie with Mum. She brought home just £2,000 after three months but wasted most on nonsensea new phone for herself and a laptop for Sophie. I make that much in a month at my firm, but only because I put in the hours.

Mum was over the moon to see us. She cooked up enough treats to feed double our number. Her neighbour and Aunt Doris popped in for a cuppa, too.

But of course, the evening ended up in an argument. Emily just had to bring up the inheritance right at the table:

Mum, who are you leaving the house to?

Oh, Emily, what a question! Well, youll split it equally, I suppose.

How can that be fair? Emily protested. Matt already owns a flat and runs his own business. Im still forking out for rent. Why does he need this house?

She spoke as if Mum was already gone. Truly shameless, discussing such things with visitors right there.

Emily, nows not the time. Dont spoil the evening, I said.

If not now, then when? Youre 65, Mum. Its a big age, you know. Best not drag it outsee the solicitor and make the deed out to me.

Aunt Doris nearly choked on her tea. I just couldnt stand my sisters rudeness. I grabbed her hand and led her through to the kitchen:

Have you lost your mind? What nonsense are you spouting at the dining table? Have you buried Mum in your head already?

Look, keep out of my affairs, she hissed back. Ive raised my child on my ownunlike you lot.

On your own? Have you forgotten all the times I loaned you money, and Mum looked after Sophie with Auntie Christine? I could box your ears right now!

Emily stormed off in a huff. She grabbed Sophie and left without a goodbye. She even started firing off messages, threatening to take me to court. But honestly, her threats mean nothing to me.

Now, Mums all in bits over it. Emilys stopped Sophie from seeing her granwont even pick up the phonejust because of the house. Mums in tears, clutching at her chest.

Truth be told, Im at a loss over what to do about my sister. Shes a grown woman, but behaves like a spoilt child.

What would you advise? Should I try to patch things up with my sister, or is it not worth the trouble?