Maumee Probate Litigation Blog

When it comes time for one generation to pass on an estate to the next through a will, conflicts often arise over the validity of the document. This is particularly true when one beneficiary believes that another beneficiary used their influence on the will's creator to better their position. Many families have seen long-suffering tensions between siblings, parents, and other family members erupt after the reading of a will makes it clear that one party benefits unfairly from the will's terms.

Of course, without a strong legal strategy to reach a fair resolution, every party involved in this kind of conflict may lose out in the end, draining the resources they are fighting to control through legal expenses and mismanagement of valuable assets. If you believe that you have grounds to challenge a will because someone else used undue influence to steer the will's terms, make sure to use the legal tools and guidance around you to keep your rights and priorities secure before it is too late.

Even celebrities make estate planning mistakes, but there is something you can learn from them. By not making plans for your estate or not making the right plans, you could end up making your family go through probate or see your assets depleted by taxes.

You'd think that celebrities would have all their finances in order, but that's not always the case. Many die unexpectedly or younger than they thought they would, leaving behind a legacy but also a lack of financial planning.

It is never easy to realize that your loved one isn't the person they used to be. Over time, the elderly do tend to lose some of their mental faculties. This can mean that they're not in a position to make important decisions about their lives. If they do, they could be easily influenced or not fully understand the implications of their actions.

This is a particular problem among people who have dementia. Early on, people with dementia are often still in their right minds and able to make decisions. They may occasionally show signs that they are losing touch with their surroundings, but they snap back to reality quickly and understand how their actions are impacting others.

There are a number of circumstances under which you might want to challenge a will. While the majority of wills go through probate with no issues at all, there are times when family members and beneficiaries may have concerns about the decedent's will.

Since the will is designed to speak for a person who is no longer living, it's vital that it's upheld as it was intended. However, if a person was manipulated, threatened or otherwise forced to write or alter their will, there could be a reason to challenge it.