Most Common Reasons for Beneficiary Disputes of an Estate Plan

There are many reasons why an estate’s beneficiaries may disagree, from concerns about unfairness to disputes over asset valuation. If you are in this situation, you may benefit from professional legal guidance.

Disputes of this nature may require litigation to resolve. This potentially lengthy process often depletes the estate’s assets, leaving heirs with little or nothing to inherit. Now is the time to learn more about the most common reasons for beneficiary disputes of an estate plan from the skilled attorneys at Hackard Law.

Misinterpretations and Miscommunication

A vague will with poorly worded provisions could lead to multiple interpretations among heirs. As well, a lack of open communication may result in feelings of suspicion and mistrust between the executor and the estate’s beneficiaries.

Furthermore, unclear instructions may lead to disagreements between heirs about how the decedent intended the estate’s assets to be divided, especially when there are sentimental or high-value items or if one of these items is missing. A lack of transparency about the estate plan can lead to disagreements.

Unfairness Claims

Not all wills distribute assets equally, even among siblings. If this happens in your family, it could cause resentment towards the primary beneficiary. Other heirs might feel that they deserve a larger share of the estate. This is especially true if an individual was unexpectedly excluded from their portion of the inheritance.

Challenges to the Will’s Validity

When all else fails, dissatisfied beneficiaries may try to contest the validity of the will. There are several lawful reasons for challenging a will’s legitimacy, particularly if someone may have coerced the deceased into making the unpopular provisions that upset the dissatisfied beneficiaries.

If individuals question the condition of the deceased’s mental state at the time of the will’s creation, or if the will was not properly executed according to law, these people could challenge the will in California’s probate court.

Issues With the Executor

An executor, also known as a personal representative, has numerous responsibilities to fulfill in order to close the estate. If the beneficiaries believe that this individual breached their fiduciary duty and mismanaged the estate’s assets, the heirs may choose to sue. Whether the executor’s personal interests created the conflict or their inaction prolonged the administration process, disputes could arise with others simply out of extended frustration.

Dealing With Beneficiary Disputes? Talk to an Estate Litigation Attorney Today

Losing a loved one is hard, and the situation becomes even harder when you have to deal with disputes among beneficiaries surrounding the estate plan. Our compassionate attorneys could help you.

Call Hackard Law today and let us defend your position. We practice estate and trust litigation on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to pay unless we win your case.