You believe that your loved one’s will cannot possibly reflect their real intentions. You feel very strongly that they were either coerced or bullied into making changes that negatively affect you – and you plan to challenge the will based on another party’s “undue...
Undue influence is one of the many reasons a court can nullify a will. It happens when the person making a will (the testator) is coerced or persuaded to act against their wishes by another. For example, a caregiver may use their position of trust to influence the...
When a family member puts assets in a trust for you, they clearly want you to have those assets in the end. You might therefore assume that once the family member dies, you can get rid of the trustee selected to manage the trust if you do not like them. Yet this is...
When someone passes away and you stand to inherit a portion of their assets, it’s both a sad time in your life and one that is a great gift. The last thing that should happen is for the situation to be tarnished by arguments or disputes. Unfortunately, those issues do...
It may be calming to know that the deceased has put their estate in the hands of a worthy executor. This executor is presumably chosen because they are trusted and respected by the deceased. The role of an executor helps ensure the deceased’s estates are protected and...
Several people may try to contest your will. This includes family members, friends, and even business partners who feel like you have been “unfair.” However, to have a valid case, the individual must have some type of legal standing. They must also have a valid reason...
As a responsible adult, you took the time to create an estate plan. The goal was to help ensure your family knew your wishes and that they would be carried out after you passed away. Unfortunately, the legal system allows some people to contest your will. While there...
A trust has to be managed by someone, so the people who fund a trust do their best to pick the best person or entity for the job – and it’s a big job. There are lots of decisions that have to be made, including when, where and how to invest those funds so that the...
When others in your family have a complaint about your loved one’s will or general estate plan after their death, it puts you in a difficult position as the executor. You need to do what you can to distribute the state according to your loved one’s wishes, but you can...
Money is never going to make up for the loss of your parent, but receiving something in their will can at least bring a smile to your face. It could help you clear debts, treat yourself to a holiday or put a deposit on your first house. Discovering your parent left...
