Disagreements or outright disputes about estates are, unfortunately, not uncommon. While there are many reasons why someone might bring litigation against an estate or Trust, one of the biggest sources of contention and strife is actually between step-children and their step-mother or step-father.
Unfortunately, not every blended family is “Brady Bunch” perfect. Sometimes, estate disputes are based on misunderstandings about how the deceased parent/spouse wanted their assets to pass. In other cases, a surviving spouse may be influenced by outside parties or may simply act egregiously.
If you have a blended family, follow these recommendations to minimize the risk of problems and disagreements after you die:
Of course, your beneficiaries and heirs don’t have a legal right to know anything about your estate until your death. However, having open and honest communications and being transparent about your wishes now can help save time, money and frustration on all sides after your death.
Talk to your estate planning attorney about the best way to meet your goals and minimize the chances of your estate becoming embroiled in costly disputes.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation to review your own documents. No matter what your estate planning requirements may be, we are here for you. We will carefully listen to you to create an estate plan that meets your wishes and needs.