Your mom dies and leaves everything she and your dad built up together to Brad, her new boyfriend. While you are happy that Mom found happiness with a 21-year-old croupier after dad died, you are not so delighted at being cut out of the will. What is more, you are...
Will Contests
3 warning signs of estate planning fraud that may demand action
When someone you love dies, your grief dominates the first few weeks after their passing. However, eventually, you have to start thinking about their legacy and your future. Whether you lost a spouse or parent, upholding their last wishes is typically a way to respect...
How to prevent your will from being contested
One of the reasons that people in Ohio write their will is to lessen or eliminate the possibility of ugly, drawn-out legal arguments erupting over who gets their assets after they die. If you make the distribution of what you owned clear in your will, hopefully, that...
What are the specific legal grounds you can use to contest a will?
Many people put off making a will until they absolutely have to. Some never do it at all, thinking it’s morbid or unnecessary. But what if you have a loved one who has made a will and you suspect that the document is not valid? There can be legitimate reasons for your...
Is someone stealing your inheritance?
There may be surprises in store when a loved one dies. These can be pleasurable ones, such as finding out your aunt left you a fortune you never knew she had. Or, they can be less pleasant. Perhaps the most disappointing of all is finding out that a family member is...
Disputes between stepmothers and their stepchildren often result in probate delays
When individuals speak about details that may delay the estate planning process, they often mention challenges in locating beneficiaries and selling off assets to facilitate the distribution of assets to heirs. Sometimes, however, the disputes are personal. Many...
What is evidence of undue influence?
Questions about undue influence may arise once a case once someone passes away. One heir may allege that another used undue influence to have the elderly person alter their will. The basic premise of this argument is that the person didn’t want to write their will...
Can you dispute a life insurance beneficiary designation?
Your parents had a life insurance policy, and they counted it as a major part of their estate. When they passed away, though, you found that the designation was not what you’d expected. You’re not named and you’ll get nothing. Can you dispute this? In some cases,...
Wills and probate process misconceptions often result in litigation
An estimated 60% of the American population is aware of the need to have a will in place, yet research shows that only 40% have drafted one. One of the main reasons Americans don't have wills is that they are misinformed about what happens if they don't have one....
3 reasons to contest your loved one’s most recent will
People often update their will throughout their life. When a family member dies, you would expect to distribute their estate according to the most recent version of their will. However, this may be inappropriate. There are times that a loved one's most recent will...