New Delhi, May 27 -- We are a business family and own considerable real estate. My grandfather passed away last year. He was the patriarch of the family. He did not leave a Will and did not name a successor to management of the business. Since his demise, our family has started fighting over his estate and the business. Our family relations, which have been cordial till now, are getting affected and there are rumours that my uncles will go to court. How do we resolve this without getting stuck in years of costly litigation?

While court proceedings are sometimes unavoidable, every reasonable effort should be made to settle differences before they escalate. As you have recognized, litigation is a costly route to resolving an inheritance di...