Lynnwood Law Blog

The terminal illness or death of a parent can, needless to say, stir up a number of complex emotions. For one, there is the aspect of caring for a potentially incapacitated family member who may need extensive medical attention and care. Secondly, adult children may face the responsibility of finding a reliable Seattle nursing home to ensure all needs are met. Finally, there comes the often tricky topic of a parent's will. When it does not appear fair, how can siblings work out the issues? 

Sibling rivalry is no stranger to the world of inheritance disputes. MarketWatch points out, though, that adult children should keep one aspect in mind when it comes to will disputes: the fact that most parents want to avoid grievances at all costs. One common issue involves tradition itself; many parents threaten to disinherit children who do not follow strict family expectations and values. Other adult children are left to deconstruct an ambiguous will, which can ultimately present challenges. Just as communication can solve problems in many of life's categories, MarketWatch shares that an honest conversation about the purpose and future of a family's wealth can prove beneficial in a number of ways.

If you have ever lived next to, across the street or even down the street from neighbors that make you cringe or interfere with your ability to enjoy your home and environment, you are not alone. Many people in Washington State have experienced the same thing. In a way, neighbors are like family members in that you cannot pick them but you are left figuring out how to deal with them.

Today recommends that there are some things you can do before you buy a property that might give you insight into whether or not there are any unsavory people in the area. Sometimes knowing ahead of time is helpful and may even sway your decision about a purchase. As tempting as it may be to want to rush and put an offer on a home after a quick tour, you may want to wait. Give yourself several days spanning both a weekend and weekdays in which you can drive past the home or walk through the neighborhood in the daytime and after dark hours.

Everyone has heard of them, and those who have experienced them would prefer to stay out of the problem for good: neighborhood disputes can quickly get out of hand, but can take months to resolve. Seattle residents stuck in the middle of a neighborhood situation can understand, however, the difficulty of sorting through an issue with someone who may only live a short distance away. 

While noisy pets, band practices and children are common points of contention among neighbors, another commonly disputed topic involves fences and treelines. Fighting over inches of space may seem a frivolous endeavor, but when giving an inch results in the taking of a foot, legal action may be necessary.

Having developed substantial assets over the course of your working life, you have every right to allocate those assets as you like. Solid estate planning, including the creation of a last will and potentially a trust, is key to building a legacy when you pass on. You can contribute money to charity, distribute your possessions to your loved ones or even deed property to the local government for public use.

Whatever your dream may be, it only takes one heir or family member to ruin your plans and your legacy. It is more common than you might think for people to contest the last wills and estate plans of their loved ones, even parents and spouses. There are steps you can take to prevent these issues, but one of the best is to create a no-contest clause in your last will or estate plan.