Top five reasons family members fight in probate court

February 09, 2017 · 3 min read

On Behalf of Zigray Law Office, LLC | Feb 9, 2017 | Probate Litigation

The death of a loved one is never easy. When the family member leaves behind an estate with unfinished business, the sorrow of death is only compounded. While the reasons family members fight in probate court are complex and varied, these are the top five, according to Wealth Management:

1. Local Family Member vs. Distant Family Member

When one family member is local to the deceased and another is distant — whether emotionally or physically — the local family member tends to feel entitled to a larger portion of the estate. Some may even attempt to be added to checking accounts under the guise of convenience when in actuality they are attempting to gain control over the person’s finances.

2. The “Late-In-Life Spouse” Takes Over

No one blames a person for taking a spouse later in life, but these late-in-life spouses are often at the root of probate problems. The truth is, there are some young people who prey on the loneliness of the elderly in order to have access to their estate once they pass on. Will contests tend to spring from last-minute changes to the wills, undue influence on the estate holder, and any changes to exclude certain family members. These tend to be more common with late-in-life spouses in the picture.

3. Multiple Marriages And Blended Families

Second marriages, children from previous relationships, and step-children often complicate seemingly simple estate distribution. While many spouses create wills that intend to divide assets evenly amongst all children upon the death of both spouses, it often requires a transfer of all of the assets from one spouse to the other upon one of their deaths. If the remaining spouse loses touch with their step-children, or becomes estranged from the deceased’s biological family, it becomes difficult to carry out the original intent of the will.

4. The Opportunist Caregiver

In the absence of a relative to care for the elderly family member, they often turn to caregivers near the end of their lives. As a result, many decide to sign some or all of their estate over to caregivers instead of to estranged family members. While many caregivers have pure intentions, this relationship opens the door for opportunists to harangue the individual.

5. Assets Were Concealed

Refusing to deliver assets that someone has inherited is against the law. That does not mean people don’t try to hide money or property during the execution of the deceased’s will.

While some probate disputes can be solved without litigation, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced litigator who is well versed in Ohio probate law.

Aug 08, 2024

What happens if there are conflicting instructions in an estate plan?

On Behalf of Zigray Law Office, LLC | Aug 8, 2024 | Will Contests Estate planning documents should always reflect the current wishes of the creator. The instruction within them should be clear, concise and able to be upheld in court. When there are any issues within the estate plan that make it difficult to know exactly what should happen, delays and disputes can arise. One issue that can lead to significant problems is when there are conflicting instructions within the estate plan. For example, if the will says that a specific beneficiary should receive the decedent’s stocks in full, but a trust names a different beneficiary for those same stocks, the conflicting instructions can lead to a battle between beneficiaries. Resolution through mutual compromise In some cases, beneficiaries may be able to work together to come up with a compromise. In the example above, the compromise could be that each party accepts half of the available stocks as their inheritance. This isn’t always possible, but it may be a faster and less costly option for resolving the conflict. Resolving conflicts through legal interpretation It’s possible that beneficiaries won’t be able to resolve the matter amicably. In this case, the court will have to step in to determine the decedent’s wishes. Judges do this by examining documents and evidence to determine how to proceed. Estate litigation can be a complex undertaking. Anyone who feels they have a valid reason for wanting to challenge a will or any part of the estate plan should understand their legal options. Because these matters are often complicated, it’s best to work with someone who’s familiar with the circumstances and legal precedents that may impact the case.

Jul 19, 2024

3 types of evidence used in will contests concerning capacity

On Behalf of Zigray Law Office, LLC | Jul 19, 2024 | Will Contests There are only a handful of very specific scenarios wherein a will contest is feasible. Sometimes, the beneficiaries of an estate truly believe that another person coerced or threatened someone into adjusting their estate plan. Other times, issues may arise from outdated documents or wills that include illegal provisions. Will contests can also occur when family members question the mental acuity of the decedent when they drafted their documents. Families and potential beneficiaries of Ohio estates sometimes contest wills by alleging that a testator lacked capacity at the time when they drafted their documents. The burden of proof falls to the plaintiffs in a will contest. How can people prove that a deceased loved one lacked capacity when they created or altered their estate plan documents? Medical records Medical documentation can be a key form of evidence in a capacity-based will contest. Proof of a diagnosis and of symptoms that limited someone’s ability to understand their circumstances is typically necessary. Diagnosis alone is unlikely to be adequate. Occasionally, those experiencing cognitive decline intentionally avoid seeing medical professionals. It may be possible to seek a posthumous evaluation by a mental health professional that can establish a testator likely lacked capacity. Financial records One of the main requirements for testamentary capacity is an understanding of one’s circumstances and resources. If a testator had difficulty paying their bills and managing their assets, that could be an indication that they were not in a mental state to make determinations about their legacy anymore. The more egregious financial oversights were around the time that someone drafted or updated estate planning documents, the greater the likelihood that the courts may agree they lacked an adequate understanding of their circumstances. Witness testimony Many people may notice the confusion and cognitive decline of an individual. Neighbors, care providers and surviving family members may be able to testify about someone’s cognitive state around the time that they drafted documents. An inability to remember their family members or understand their circumstances may have been obvious to those regularly interacting with the decedent. Those with closer relationships with the decedent and medical training are often in the best position to provide compelling testimony in court about a testator’s state. Discussing the reasons that people question a testator’s capacity with a skilled legal team can help them establish if they have grounds for a will contest. Those who can prove that someone couldn’t understand the impact their documents had can potentially convince the courts to set aside those compromised documents.

Jul 24, 2024

What are the consequences if you contest a will and lose?

On Behalf of Zigray Law Office, LLC | Jul 24, 2024 | Will Contests If you are considering challenging the validity or legality of a will in probate court, it helps to be prepared for any eventuality. Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to legal proceedings; a will contest is no exception. The court may rule against you if you present insufficient evidence or weak arguments, and it’s important to understand the potential consequences of such an outcome. Here is what you need to know. You will bear the legal costs If you lose a will contest, you may be liable for the legal costs and fees associated with the case. The rule of thumb is that the losing party pays the winning party’s court expenses. As such, the court may order you to reimburse the estate’s legal bills besides your attorney fees, which can be a tidy sum. You could lose your inheritance When you contest a will with a no-contest clause and lose, you may have to forfeit part of or all inheritance you were entitled to. No-contest clauses are aimed at discouraging challenges to a will and are enforceable in Ohio. It may strain relationships with loved ones A will contest can create conflict among family members due to the emotional and financial stakes involved during an already difficult period. For starters, no one will inherit anything until the matter is decided, and such cases can be lengthy. Secondly, allegations of fraud or undue influence can create suspicion and distrust, leading to further division. There will be no changes in the distribution Should the court uphold the will, nothing will change and the distribution of assets will proceed as directed by the will. It means your effort, time and resources spent in the contest will go down the drain. Given these undesirable consequences of losing a will contest, it’s imperative to weigh the risks against the benefits beforehand. Seeking legal guidance for a qualified assessment of the strength of your case can also go a long way in making the right call