ORTHODOX HOUSE
⛪ All churches
Sign in
🎧Live Music ☾
☦ Today Wednesday, November 4 / October 22 (old style) ✦ Fast day Gregorian calendar ⇄
Ven. Joannicus the Great
← News feed Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

Litigation with loved ones over real estate. What should I do?translated

November 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Reader question:

Two years ago I planned to take out a mortgage. My sister said that then we would sell my parents’ apartment and divide the money: the main part would go to my mortgage, the rest to my sister and parents. I was indignant that she presented everyone with a fait accompli. My sister was offended and said that I shouldn’t take out a mortgage. Mom took her side. Then my parents offered to give me their shares. I didn’t agree right away. As a result, I gave money for the down payment to my mother and made repairs by taking out a loan. I put off making a donation for two years. This summer I suggested that my mother go to a notary. The sister was offended and said that her mother was depriving her of her inheritance. Mom talked to the priest, and he did not bless the gift, saying that making promises is not Christian. But it was an agreement, not a promise. Now everything is cancelled. I live in an apartment where I own 1/3, and I pay a loan for renovations. My sister said that I need to marry a man with housing, and if I don’t go out and buy an apartment, then “of course she won’t kick me out” after the death of my parents. I agree that the apartment is a common inheritance.

But then there was no need to stop me from taking out a mortgage and getting my hopes up. How should I approach this situation?...

Source: Журнал ФОМА  ·  Read the full story →
⚑ Report
💬 Comments
Sign in to join the conversation →
More stories
Call for Volunteers for the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission
Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) · December 31, 2026
Digest of Media Publications and Reports on the Belarusian Orthodox Church: October 2026
Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) · November 4, 2026
October 23 (old calendar) / November 5 (new)
Pan-Orthodox · November 4, 2026
Texas Democrats sweep statewide offices; Catholics, pro-lifers respond
Pan-Orthodox · November 4, 2026
🔑Sign in 📖Prayer Book 🕊Live Prayer 📨Submit news 👥Friends 💬Groups ⛪My parish 🕯Virtual church 🙏Prayers by agreement 🗓Calendar ☦Lives of the Saints ✏️Catechesis 📚Library 🌍Orthodox World Review 🎧Live Music ⚖Canons 📜Holy Scripture 🧭Map of Orthodoxy ✅Test yourself 🔔Notifications ➕My subscriptions 🛍Store 💬Support