I am so sorry for your situation.  Generally speaking,  each states has a cause of action - or in other words the basis for a lawsuit - known as an action for "partition" which is an action that asks a court to split an asset that is owned equally in two so that each party can have their fair share.  Now, it is very difficult to split a house in two so what happens in the case of an action for partition of real property is that the court orders the property sold and the proceeds split in two.  If anything it will open the avenue to discussion.  Good luck to you.