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Avoiding inheritance arguments after losing a parent

Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult things that you will ever have to go through. If you have lost a parent, it is likely that you are united with your siblings in your grief.

In addition to going through such an emotionally challenging time, you will need to take practical matters into your own hands. Your parent’s estate will need to be divided. The way that this happens will be determined by any wills or trusts that your parent set up during their lifetime. Unfortunately, these trying times can lead to conflict among siblings regarding how assets should be dealt with.

Why do inheritance conflicts occur?

Inheritance conflicts can often occur when wills are written in an ambiguous or confusing way. This can create disputes around what the deceased person intended. Additionally, if one sibling had borrowed money from a parent before their death, it might be argued by another sibling that this debt should be deducted from their inheritance. Conflicts like this can be common among siblings, and they can be made worse by the grief and loss experienced.

How can arguments be prevented?

One of the best ways for grieving siblings to avoid conflict is to anticipate it. This can help individuals to think more about their actions in advance. Additionally, by going through mediation and by always having an objective person in the room during every discussion can help to mitigate misunderstandings.

If you are having trouble dealing with the estate of your parent, it is important that you do not underestimate the complexity of the task. The law can help you enforce justice, so you should make sure to understand how it can protect you.

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