You may think you know your family well – but the death of a loved
one often brings out the worst in people. When you are creating an estate
plan, you should always account for potential conflicts and disputes between
your family members. In most cases, you can often see the warning signs
ahead and plan accordingly to minimize issues.
Here are some factors that can increase the possibility of family feuds
after a death:
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Sibling Rivalry – If siblings have a poor relationship and do not get along, then this can
trigger intense feelings of resentment or rivalry. They may try to dispute
an estate in order to gain an advantage or get back at a sibling.
-
Socioeconomic Differences in Beneficiaries – If you have one beneficiary who is in need of money while another who is
not concerned about money, your heirs may have disputes over whether or
not to sell assets in your estate. It is important that you provide specific
instructions on how to manage your properties, family properties, and
other assets.
-
Estranged Relatives – Families with estranged children or other successors may face additional
parties who want to challenge an estate plan after a family death.
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Undue Influences – It is common for one person, particularly a caretaker, to assume the responsibility
of handling the deceased’s financial and medical affairs prior to
his or her death. This can lead to accusations of undue influence, which
can complicate and prolong the estate administration process.
-
Late Marriages – When a person remarries later in life, children can feel resentment against
their parent’s new spouse and new siblings. Any time a person remarries,
they should update their estate plan accordingly to prevent disputes.
Avoiding Family Feuds After a Death
If you want to avoid estate disputes between your loved ones, our Phoenix
estate planning attorneys at Thies & Lihn, PLLC can help. We work
closely with clients to understand their family and help them find the
right solutions. Our team understands the importance of not only safeguarding
your financial interests, but to help preserve family relationships and
minimize disputes between family members.
Tell us more about your estate planning concerns by calling our office
at (602) 900-9860.