Look at this subjectively first.
Number one person, not living in the house, would like her share of her mother's estate. She is entitled to it and the other two have been living in that house for 27 years rent free. Its not really fair now, is it?
The two in the house. But this is our home. We've always lived here. We like living here. Its what Mammy would have wanted. We're not going anywhere. The highest Court in the land would never put us out on the side of the street. Woe, woe, woe is us. (Whisper, whisper - Should we be worried? )
The other non resident. Well the money would come in very handy if we sold the house but I don't want to worry M and P living in the house, though God knows, P could well afford to get her own house on her big salary and with her share of the proceeds.
Objectively, what would a Court say, if they can't all come to some agreement? Probably, sell the house, split the proceeds unless M and P want to/can afford to buy the others out.
And , of course, because there will be a marvellous range of unspoken hurts and grievances, not to mention the actual details of a particular case, its hard to know whether Number 1 would actually push for the house to be sold.
What do I think? Should have sorted it out years ago. Number 1 should talk to a solicitor and get a feeling for a likely outcome, were she to push for it.
mf