Can an Estate Plan Be Disputed By Someone?
Our Pearland estate planning attorney explains common types of disputes that can arise and how to prevent them.
Having an estate plan helps in protecting you, your loved ones, and your assets. However, there are some situations in which problems can arise. Our Pearland estate planning attorney explains common types of disputes that often arise and how to prevent them.
Common Disputes Concerning Estate Planning In Texas
Creating an estate plan in Texas helps to ensure you are prepared in case the unexpected happens. These documents help in conveying your wishes, protecting your assets, and providing for family members.
Estate planning in Pearland generally involves creating a will, which provides an inventory of all assets, designates beneficiaries, and determines how distributions will be made in the event of your death. Designating someone to act as your power of attorney in the event you are incapacitated and having advance directives dictating your wishes regarding end-of-life care is important as well.
Unfortunately, even with these documents in place, disputes can arise. Among the most common include:
- Disputes concerning personal representatives: When creating a will, you will need to designate a personal representative to appear before the Brazoria County Probate Court. It is not uncommon for disputes to arise over the person you select or how they perform their duties.
- Disputes over the amount of property, assets, and debts: Disputes can arise concerning whether there is property or assets unaccounted for or unpaid debts.
- Disputes over beneficiaries and the amount they are owed: Wills contests are one of the most common types of disputes. Serious problems may arise over how property is divided and who is entitled to what.
- Disputes over other estate planning documents: Controversy may erupt over your power of attorney and the decisions they make or advance directives, which communicate your wishes regarding medical care if you are incapacitated
How to Avoid Disputes With Your Pearland Estate Plan
It is impossible to please everyone when it comes to your estate plan, but there are ways to prevent potential disputes from arising. These include:
- Seek help from a qualified Texas estate planning attorney: We can guide you in putting the appropriate documents in place and ensuring they comply with the Texas Estates Code.
- Discussing your estate plan with loved ones and others impacted. Discussing your estate plan with the people who are named in these documents and are likely to be impacted the most can help to prevent future disputes.
- Updating your estate plan regularly. Not updating your will and other estate planning documents to reflect changes in relationships or financial status can open the door to legal disputes.
Request a Consultation With Our Pearland, Texas, Estate Planning Attorney Today
At John Powell III, P.C., our Pearland estate planning attorney has over 20 years of experience helping clients put the appropriate documents in place to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their assets. To find out how we can help prevent future disputes, call or contact our office online and request a consultation today.