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A family property is anything which is owned or inherited or shared to heirs by predecessors (fore fathers, parents) and is also assumed to pass and be used from one generation to another without any form of termination. There are families with large properties both landed and other forms of properties which could include huge bank account and possibly owners of shares in large companies. There is a great need for writing a will by the owner, especially the father who own the properties to show how such properties have been distributed among each and every member of the family to avoid disputes when he is no more.
Most times, even with the will stating how such properties have been shared or distributed, the benefactors often argue and disagree with such; which often leads to family crisis and even total denial of such properties by the law court.
Indeed, this is a serious issue in our society today which has posed threats to family unity and as well has harmonised and maintained a peaceful co-existence in families today. Sharing of family inheritance varies from one ethnic group or tribe to another because of the various traditions they practice. Therefore, families share their properties according to the traditions which guide them. In the eastern region where I hail from, the properties are only given to the male children in order of seniority while the female children are left behind with nothing. The first son obtains the largest portion of his father's inheritance then followed by the second son in that order. Also, in a situation where the man did not have any male heir at all, his properties are being shared amongst his brothers or kinsmen.
Moreover, in ancient times or in traditional societies, when the date for sharing such properties has been fixed, the various parties involved invite their loved ones, friends and a host of other relatives to come and bear witness. It is always headed by the King assisted by other dignitaries in the community. However, in modern times, such is not done anymore; rather, the owner of the properties apportion to each and every member of the family as he wills and affirms it with his signature and hands it over to his lawyer, also most times strict conditions are being attached in that any benefactor that defaults may be denied of his/her own share.

So many disputes occur when the parents especially the father is no more.Most times,one person tends to claim everything probably because of his position in the family and actually this causes a great conflict in the family. Also, others squander their own portion of share unnecessarily while others choose to outrightly sell the landed properties without having a rethink about the future generation.
Parents should take some necessary steps to ensure that their children will properly safeguard the family properties when they are no more.

Instructing and advising their children on the dangers of outrightly selling out a family property.
Writing a will and stating the do's and don'ts which must be strictly adhered to and signed by a prominent lawyer. There should also be sequel punishments to anyone who defaults in adhering to such rules.
They should not entrust much properties to anyone who is not trustworthy to handle such properties.

Its obvious that most times, the people in my community don't respect a will written by the owner of the properties, that's why there are conflicts and disputes in various families because the father might not have shared his properties to favour them as they wished. On the other hand, a will that has been written and administered are greatly reverenced by the children not minding the circumstances surrounding it and hence they always remain thankful and watchful in safeguarding the properties.

Actually my family is yet to discuss on this issue of sharing family properties but I believe that it will be done in due time.

I've experienced so much about this issue of sharing family properties especially in my community.If there is anytime the family members need to be prayerful like never before I think its this period because the devil can use the opportunity to intrude and cause harm that will forever be regretted for in the family history.
There is one family in my community whose father was extremely rich. The man's name was Nnah Okwo, he was so popular and well respected througout the community and beyond. He married many wives and had many children. It happened that before he died he shared all his properties among his children according to their birthrights and also was written down. Everyone asumed that everything was alright not until after the man's burial ceremony. Days later, the family was in great turmoil and conflict, fighting and quarrel was the order of the day. It got to a stage when the community leaders were tired of settling the issues that the case was forwarded to the customary court and they were strictly warned that anyone who triggers more conflict will be arrested and imprisoned. They all calmed down and after the case was settled in the court, some came and sold off their own share of properties especially the landed properties. On the contrary,the responsible ones vowed never to sell theirs.
After many years,things became so difficult with those ones who outrightly sold their own share of property and they had to go and struggle with the others to snatch away theirs but they were reminded that it was too late for them as they squandered theirs and they were also reminded that they have put their future children and generation to hardship as they will nevertheless inherit anything from them and this also is a thing of shame for men of their calibers.At this moment,everything now dawned on them and they regretted ever to have made such decisions as they faced the consequences.

Family properties are very crucial part of the family belongings and should thus be properly managed and safeguarded as mismanagement may result in a life time regret which may have a very negative effect on the future generation.

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