Estate planning helps to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. While it’s ultimately up to you to determine how your finances, property, and other belongings will be allocated, it’s important to consider how your decisions will impact your surviving loved ones. Here’s how you can make choices that minimize the likelihood of arguments among your children.

Why Do Children Usually Fight Over a Will?

There are several reasons why children will argue over a parent’s will. For one, a lack of transparency over who will inherit which assets, or unexpected decisions, can cause ill feelings and disputes between children. For instance, if children are left to determine how finances or property should be distributed on their own with no instruction, they may not agree on who should receive which assets or how the money should be distributed. Another example is when a large sum of money is left to an unexpected party, such as a distant relative or friend, with no transparency of why the decision was made.

On the other hand, a parent’s estate planning decisions can lead to tension if children feel assets haven’t been distributed fairly. For instance, if one child is given more valuable assets than another, or if one of the children is made the sole executor of the will, feelings of jealousy and resentment may develop among siblings.

How Can You Prevent Sibling Arguments?

Fortunately, the above scenarios can usually be avoided with strategic estate planning. First and foremost, having a will in the first place can take a significant burden off of surviving loved ones, as it will eliminate the uncertainty and prevent court intervention from divvying up assets. Secondly, you can work with an experienced will attorney to ensure your assets are divided as fairly as possible among your beneficiaries.

For instance, if you’re gifting one child a house, antique car, or other items of significant value, you might consider leaving your other child money of equal value. You might also want to name all of your children as co-executors, so no one feels that one person has more power over another. Lastly, managing expectations by having candid conversations with your family members in advance can help to prevent surprises.

If you’re seeking assistance with estate planning, turn to Dennis P. Faller, Attorney at Law, in Wapakoneta, OH. This experienced lawyer helps his clients make the best decisions for the financial future of their families and provides unwavering attention to help guide you through will generation. Find out more about his services online or call (419) 738-4578 to schedule a consultation.