The objective of creating a will is to ensure your estate is divided among loved ones as you see fit. Without a will, it is up to the court to decide how to divvy your assets. When discussing your estate plan with an attorney, they’ll advise you to think carefully about how to divide belongings among your adult children. Trying to be as fair as possible will avoid hurt feelings and points of contention outlined here.   

Why Siblings Fight Over Wills

One child getting a larger portion of the inheritance than their siblings can lead to tension and arguments. The children with smaller inheritances might view this decision as an act of favoritism and start to resent the “favored” sibling.

They might also question whether their parent was coerced into dividing the estate unfairly. The other siblings might try to have the will invalidated on these grounds.

Similarly, naming one adult child as executor of your estate might cause the others to feel you value the relationship with the executor the most. During the will reading, hearing about other beneficiaries for the first time, such as distant relatives or friends, could cause hostility and hurt feelings, too.  

How to Prevent Squabbling 

Even if the will includes beneficiaries other than adult children, try to divide the portions for the kids as evenly as possible. To further avoid favoritism, don’t name one child as executor of the will. Instead, name the children as co-executors so they all maintain a portion of control over how the estate is handled after your death.

If you have a valid reason to only name one executor, let your children know why you’ve come to this decision. To avoid surprises, the children should also be made aware of who will and won’t inherit your property, retirement funds, and other estate assets.

To create a thorough estate plan, contact the attorneys at Cronin Skilton & Skilton, P.L.L.C. The law firm has been a fixture in Iowa’s Chickasaw and Floyd counties for over 80 years. In addition to helping with will and probate matters, the attorneys can also handle civil litigation cases to get clients the compensation they deserve. Get an overview of practice areas online and call (641) 435-2462 for a consultation in Nashua or (641) 228-3318 for assistance in Charles City.