Inheritance Disputes

Parents often say that they don't have a favorite child. Researchers say that's not true.A Cornell University study talked to 275 different mothers, asking them if they felt closer to one child than the others. Every mother in the study had at least two kids. These...

Many estate disputes happen when people want the same asset. Maybe one child felt like their parents promised them the family home, but then it went to someone else in the will. Children also fight over far more minor assets, especially when they have sentimental...

When an inheritance dispute occurs, it's important for those involved to know what rights they have, what steps to take and how to resolve things as quickly and smoothly as possible. They must be aware of the fact that it can cause lasting damage to the relationships...

When parents have both biological children and stepchildren, they may claim that they have the same close relationship with all of their kids. However, the data from estate divisions tells a different story.Specifically, reports have found that the odds of parents...

Many inheritance disputes arise when one heir thinks that another used undue influence to convince a parent or other family member to change their estate plan.Experts note that a position of power is often involved. For instance, the heir is taking care of an elderly...

After the death of a king in ancient Scandinavia, survivors placed all his treasures on a barge and set it on fire. In order to inherit, surviving offspring needed to brave the flames, but it is unclear how many attempted to do so. This is an extreme method of...

People in Washington State who create a will should be able to expect that its terms will be followed as identified. However, this may not always be as simple as one might wish it to be. Despite the intentions of the person who created the will, the language used in...

Many people in Washington State face the challenge of how to provide the best help to and care for an aging parent or other relative. One of the biggest problems encountered by families is how and when to have the conversation about ensuring adult children have the...

One of the potentially more contentious issues involved with the administration of an estate in Seattle is the potential for having to pay estate taxes. You (and other beneficiaries) may understand that if taxes are owed, they should be paid from the estate’s...

It is recommended that those working their way through the estate planning process in Seattle involve those who will be impacted by their decisions as much as possible. Yet that does not always happen, which is why many who are party to an estate may ultimately be...