Travis Weaver, Attorney with Offices in Denton County and Wise County
Losing a family member is hard. No one wants to make matters worse for those left behind. Consider these five problem areas with wills or trusts that cause expensive court battles and damage family relationships:
1. The Will or Trust Is Confusing. Families argue because the will or trust isn’t clear. Those arguments can lead to costly legal fees and destroy family relationships. The document might have words that can be interpreted in different ways. For example, instead of dividing assets “fairly,” the will should be specific. Use dollar amounts, percentages, or number of acres.
2. Some People Get More than Others. When a will or trust gives more to one person than to others, the situation often causes anger and hurt feelings. If a parent leaves more to one child than to the others, resentment may fester among the other children—possibly leading to broken family bonds and sky-high legal fees.
3. Arguments About Who’s in Charge. Deciding who will carry out the instructions in the will or trust can lead to disagreements. If siblings or other relatives are given copies of the will prior to death, this often helps ward off difficulties and keeps the inheritance in the hands of loved ones. Secrets and surprises can cause financially devastating family feuds.
4. Accusations of Influencing the Deceased. Sometimes, family members claim that someone influenced the person who made the will or trust. This becomes a real problem if a caregiver or new boyfriend inherits a large amount of money or property. Sharing your intentions and reasons for making decisions with those affected may help reduce conflict and save money in the long run.
To sum up, when a family member dies, disagreements over wills and trusts can make things harder for everyone emotionally and financially.
It’s important for families to talk openly, get legal advice if needed, and try to work things out peacefully.
At Weaver Firm – Attorneys, we’re glad to help you create a will or trust or visit about changes. Check out our website at WeaverLegal.net to learn more. Or give us a call at 817-638-2022 to schedule an appointment today onsite at Robson Ranch, at our office at 2650 FM 407, Suite 245, in Bartonville Town Center, by phone, or on Zoom.