Some are not fully aware of the potential impact of estate planning and probate on their beneficiaries or loved ones. Unfortunately, a family member's passing can bring out regrettable behaviors in people, especially when a will becomes the subject of dispute. To avoid possible conflicts involving your will, here are some steps you can take as you prepare.

3 Actions That May Prevent Inheritance Feuds

1. Create a Valid Will

Drafting a will that explicitly contains your wishes isn't enough. To make it legally enforceable, it must comply with estate planning and probate laws. 

To meet the technical requirements, you must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind and body. Also, your will can only be valid if it is in writing, you have not been coerced, and you have at least two witnesses when you affix your signature on the document. Neglecting any of these requirements can be used as grounds for contesting your will.

2. State Your Wishes Clearly

Write your will with firmness and clarity. Any ambiguity in your wording can prompt others to challenge your document after you pass on. Review your will thoroughly and update it as needed to reflect your current wishes. 

Never leave anything to chance. Cover all your assets, and keep in mind that any surviving co-owner may automatically receive the joint property. To ensure you’re free from the influence of your beneficiaries, avoid working with an estate planning and probate attorney who has been recommended by your potential heirs. 

3. Prepare for Probate 

Probate is an official process conducted in a court of law to verify the validity of your will once you’ve passed on. While it’s underway, however, beneficiaries of your will could contest your estate plans. Moreover, the probate process may take a few months to several years, leaving plenty of time for disagreements to ensue. 

If you want to skip probate, seek a lawyer to help you designate death beneficiaries, create joint property ownerships, and draft revocable living trusts. Alternatively, you can distribute your property before your death to avoid estate taxes and probate.

If you’re concerned about will disputes among your loved ones, turn to Ibold & O'Brien in Chardon, OH, for compassionate and expert legal counsel. Since 1980, this esteemed law firm has provided clients in northeast Ohio with excellent legal representation in estate planning and probate matters. Get in touch with them today by leaving a message on their website or calling their Chardon office at (440) 607-5228 or their Orwell branch at (440) 437-5295.