Thank you, Pete. I’ve been agonizing over the decisions and unsure that I’ve made the right choice for the most needy of the heirs. The choices were each receiving $165,000, that could be reduced to as little as $80,000 each if we had a big environmental cleanup, or a sure $130,000 each. I’m going with the sure thing (nothing is in writing yet) because I’m a bean counter and risk adverse by nature. I don’t think I could forgive myself if I cost them $85,000. As the situation stands now, I’ll never know if I cost them $35,000. And one sister might sue me for negligence if I make the choice that ends up cutting her inheritance in half.
I also learned this afternoon that the woman who shares a fence corner with our house actually HAD a small environmental cleanup and she has no basement. That’s proof of some level of contamination and the pollutants on and around her property might very well have found their way to our property. Our house and yard sit higher than both hers and the former gas station when standing on the street, but liquids flow along the path of least resistance. Who knows where any contaminants might be travelling underground?
The reinforcement from posters much more knowledgeable than I am in these areas reassures me that I’m probably making the right decision. Thank you all again!
My only $0.02 is to document all your decisions and issues including a time stamp; not necessarily to show to all the other parties but to keep in your hip pocket in the event it is needed. And if you are like me do not rely upon your memory :)
Just thought that using your phone to photograph your document to will provide a timestamp. Hope all goes well.
Can you work with an escrow agent for the closing? (Don't know how it is handled in Canada!) If you need to go to Nova Scotia, after closing will you go listen to Scottish pub music and drink Ale?