Can You Prevent Inheritance Disputes With Proper Planning?

Organizing your estate and drafting a will are excellent ways to guarantee that your property gets to the desired parties upon your death. However, failure to include critical details or pay attention to articulation can leave your family members squabbling and bitter. Fortunately, with proper planning, you can help prevent unnecessary inheritance disputes.

The Huffington Post suggests some proactive steps you can take throughout estate planning to make your wishes clear and leave nothing to personal discretion. These suggestions include the following:

• Stay private: Involving your beneficiaries in the planning or writing of your will can create problems if you are easily influenced. Keep your thoughts personal and your will private.
• Give gifts: Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to look at all of the property you own and wish to give to your loved ones. If possible, begin giving some of your assets away before your death to reduce the amount of property in your inheritance and to effectively make your wishes clear.
• Have evidence: Videoing the signing of your will is an excellent way to provide family members with evidence upon your death. Additionally, the video proof can show that you were mentally capable of making the decisions you have and family members cannot dispute otherwise.
• Choose witnesses: Put time and thought into the individuals you select as witnesses to sign your will. With trusted associates on your side, you can be confident in their ability to defend your wishes upon your death.

Include personal notes to your loved ones to effectively show you care, and that you have put time and careful consideration into the writing of your will.  The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.