The youngest son, who has taken care of his mother for 15 years, feels disappointed with his siblings who say, "Let's divide the inheritance equally."

The youngest son, who has been caring for his mother for a long time, expressed his disappointment towards his brothers who are demanding their deceased mother's assets.

On the 15th, the story of Mr. A, a man who has run a restaurant and taken care of his mother for 15 years, was shared on YTN Radio's "Lawyer Jo In-seop's Counseling Center."

Mr. A stated, "My parents ran a small restaurant while raising us. However, when I was a college student, my father passed away, and my mother struggled to run the restaurant alone."

In place of his brothers, who live in different areas, Mr. A returned to support his mother. Even after getting married, he and his wife helped out at the restaurant for 15 years, increasing its revenue and even building an annex.

One day, when his mother suddenly collapsed, Mr. A had to take over running the restaurant completely. His wife stayed by the side of his ailing mother day and night.

For five years, he covered his mother's hospital bills with the earnings from the restaurant, but eventually, his mother passed away.

After the mother’s death, the brothers suggested that they divide their mother’s assets equally.

Mr. A's wife argued, "We took better care of our parents and continued to operate the restaurant," claiming that she and her husband deserve a larger share.

Mr. A also stated, "My brothers received apartments from our mother when they got married, but since I lived with her, I didn't receive anything separately." He added, "Rather, my brothers are complaining that we relied on our mother."

Feeling disappointed with his brothers, Mr. A sought advice, asking, "Can I really inherit more than my siblings?"

Attorney Woo Jin-seo, who heard the story, advised, "If the siblings cannot reach an agreement, you need to file a 'petition for division of inheritance' in the family court," and noted that Mr. A can additionally claim for the contributions he made.

He explained, "The contribution is recognized for heirs who particularly took good care of the parents or made significant contributions to increasing the parents' assets."

However, he emphasized, "You must prove that you took care of your parents for a longer time than your siblings and made practical contributions to increasing their assets."

Mr. A inquired whether the wealth he and his wife built from the restaurant could also be recognized as his share.

Attorney Woo replied, "To fully inherit the restaurant, all heirs must agree," and mentioned that contributions from successfully running the restaurant and Mr. A operating it alone while his mother was hospitalized could potentially be recognized by the court.

He also added, "If the apartments received by the brothers are included as special earnings in the inheritance calculation, your share may increase."

Image source: Reference photo to aid understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank