No one expects they will be involved in an inheritance dispute among other heirs. But, this becomes the reality for many families in Minnesota. There are many approaches a family can take to minimize inheritance conflict.
Preventing estate conflicts before they arise cannot always be done. But, thinking about where problems may occur may be a good idea for those who are working on estate planning issues. An estate plan should be updated regularly, as marriages, births, divorces, and other situations can change an estate plan. Also, personal property should be addressed and listed separately in an estate plan. Many heirs bicker over who should receive what and having this specified before a person dies can be a good idea.
If a family has certain special needs to address, such as a sibling who needs extra care or a family vacation home, talking about these issues together can be helpful to avoid conflict later. If there is a family business, those should be transitioned to family members who have been active in the business and who would make logical sense to include in the business. Parents should gradually pass the business to their children while they are still alive in order to maintain a smooth transition.
With careful planning, many inheritance disputes can be avoided. But, if a dispute arises among family members, an attorney who specializes in estate disputes can be a valuable resource. An attorney understands the conflict among family members and will work tirelessly to resolve this conflict with as little court involvement as possible.
When there are disappointed expectations, problems can arise that require specialized legal help. Hiring the right attorney can help to resolve these conflicts and maintain a good relationship among family members.
Source: aaii.com, “18 Rrecommendations for Mminimizing Iinheritance Conflict,” Mark Accettura, accessed on Dec. 18, 2017