Are you a Seattle resident who is either acting as the executor of a will, or are the beneficiary of one? If so, you have certain responsibilities and rights. However, inheritance disputes can threaten the ease of the probate process. Riach Gese Jacobs, PLLC, is here to help.
Generally speaking, the people most likely to bring on inheritance disputes are family members or close friends of the deceased. If they were left out of an estate plan, trust, or will entirely, they may argue for their inclusion. In certain cases, they may already be included. However, they feel as though what was left to them is not in line with what they expected. This can mean that they got a smaller share of stocks or bank accounts than they were anticipating, or that they were not left something they claim they should have been given, like a car.
In some of these cases, it is simply a matter of negotiation. However, there are instances where legal involvement becomes necessary and the case must be taken to court. In these instances, it is important for the estate administrator to have strong legal representation. This will allow you to protect the wishes left behind by the departed and proceed with the estate as planned.
As either an executor or beneficiary, you have every reason to want to avoid harmful legal action taken against the estate that you administer or are a beneficiary of. You can take a look at our webpage on inheritance disputes, linked here. You can also speak to us directly for more information.
