Probate disputes can be a massive issue for families. They often involve siblings, which is problematic on many levels. Not only do they disagree on what to do with the assets, but they may retain feelings of frustration and animosity even after things are sorted out.
For instance, say that two siblings want to sell their parents’ vacation property after they die, while the third wants to keep it. The only solution ends up being selling the property and splitting the money. This sounds good on paper, but the sibling who wanted to keep it will always feel like they lost something valuable to them, even if they technically got a fair share of the property’s monetary value. Issues like these are why adult siblings sometimes cut off contact with each other forever.
The importance of putting your wishes in writing
The best way to avoid a situation like this is just to write a will. Make your intentions clear. Give your children and other beneficiaries all of the instructions they need after you’re gone. They may still not like what you decide, but at least they’ll know what you wanted. It’s even better to talk with your children as you’re developing your will to find out what they want.
A will is just the beginning. You can also use trusts, advance directives, powers of attorney and a lot of other documents to make a complex estate plan that leaves nothing to chance. You simply need to know what estate planning options you have so that you can get started.