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Brothers Feud Over Island
By Islomaniac | July 6, 2008
Islands are typically places where families bond and spend time together. However, sometimes private islands become the site of bitter feud’s, in some cases permanently tearing families apart. Recently, The Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s leading newspapers wrote an article about the Brandon Family a family who have been feuding over an island for 20 years.
In 1946 Gordon Brandon bought Brandy’s island a six acre island North of Barrie Ontario. When Gordon died in 1964 he passed half the island onto his wife Clara and the other half on two his two sons, Gordon Jr. and Jim. For years the family lived happily on the island.
After Gordon Sr. died, Jim took over the family’s cottage-rental business. Gordon left the island for about 13 years to start a construction business. He returned in the late 1980s, to run a growing marina operation and re-establish his construction firm. It wasn’t long before tensions surfaced.
According to reports Jim resented his brothers return to the island and began working to convinve his mother Clara to leave her share of the island to him in his will. Clara was reluctant but eventually conceded. Gordon Jr. believing that this was not right took his brother to court who determined that Jim unlawfully coaxed their mother into changing her will.
The island was divided in half, with “Zone A” going to Jim and “Zone B” going to Gordon Jr. The zone arrangement fell apart this year after Jim complained that trucks trespassed when they turned off the road into Gordon’s marina. He barricaded his side of the road with wood piles, tires, concrete blocks, rocks and various vehicles.
As of today the brothers are still battling over the island in court. Although both would like reconcilliation at this point it would be difficult.
I find it incredible that a property dispute has gotten so out of hand. I am sure if Gordon Sr. knew this back in 1946 he would have never purchased the island. It seems to me that these two brothers have a serious lack of respect for their parents, their island and eachother. I truly hope that they are able to work this out.
At the very least this serves as a cautionary tale to other island owners. Ensure that you have a very clear will for how you want your property divided, and communicate this to your family.
To read the entire article visit: The Globe and Mail
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