Actually, there are things I am keeping secret from my father

Actually, there are three things I have been keeping secret from my father for a long time.

The first is that I sold off farm equipment like tractors and combines. The second is that I
disposed of everything inside the farm equipment shed and
demolished the straw shed that was dilapidated and on the verge of collapsing. And the third is that I sold the old house
that had become vacant.

Why did I keep it a secret? There was a reason of my own.

30 years of being told, 'You do the rice fields!'

My father was a man who balanced farming and self-employment for many years. I have also been told
'You take over' since I was young, but it was difficult to balance with my main job in welfare, so I gave up on becoming a part-time farmer.

Even so, as long as my father was actively farming, I helped with rice planting every year. When it came to harvesting, he would say, 'I'll do it with the machine, so I don't need you,' so I stayed out of that.

However, the summer before last, my father suddenly collapsed, and managing the rice fields became difficult.

Selling farm equipment and cleaning up places I couldn't show my father

The farm equipment had not been used for over a year, and there was a possibility it would lose its value if not sold. So, I requested a buyer and decided to sell it. At the same time, I disposed of all the unnecessary items in the farm equipment shed. I also demolished the straw shed that was so dilapidated it looked like it could collapse at any moment.

Honestly, if my father found out, he would definitely be furious. However, since there is a distance from the house to the rice fields and he doesn't visit the site, I decided to proceed in silence.

Selling the vacant house and preparing with a family trust

There was also movement regarding the vacant house that remained in my father's name. It was a property that had been vacant for over 20 years, and the ceiling had even fallen in. One day, a real estate company contacted me saying, 'There is a customer who wants to buy it,' and after consulting, we decided to sell it.

Those familiar with real estate might wonder, 'Can't you sell a property in your father's name without permission?'

Actually, anticipating this risk, we had already completed a family trust contract while my father was still healthy. Thanks to this system, even after my father's decision-making capacity declined, I, as his child, was able to formally carry out the sale procedures.

Conclusion: My brother and sister's reactions and the future

My father still doesn't know, but my brother and sister found out immediately.

'Why did you demolish it without asking?' 'Explain yourself properly.' I was pressed.

I intend to explain this matter properly eventually, but for now, I am waiting for the right timing.

The money obtained from selling the farm equipment was about 700,000 yen. On the other hand, the cost of cleaning up the farm equipment shed and demolishing the straw shed was about 1 million yen. The cost of disposing of unwanted items is increasing year by year, so I recommend acting early when the timing is right.

Closing

What I proceeded with in secret from my parents was by no means a "betrayal," but rather a "precaution."

To protect the future and assets of my family, and because someone had to do it.
I intend to take on that role.

I hope this will be a helpful reference for those struggling with "farming issues" or "vacant house management."

Please enjoy my past articles as well.