If you are already confident that your family is going to fight over your estate after you die, that is even more reason to put a careful estate plan in place now.

If you are already confident that your family is going to fight over your estate after you die, that is even more reason to put a careful estate plan in place now. A well-drafted Will or Revocable Living Trust can clearly identify who receives your property, who will serve as Personal Representative or Trustee, and how and when assets will be distributed, leaving less room for uncertainty and disagreement. Depending on the circumstances, your lawyer may also recommend choosing a neutral fiduciary, documenting the reasons behind potentially controversial decisions, using a Revocable Living Trust to provide greater privacy and continuity, or including provisions designed to discourage meritless challenges. Just as important, your attorney can make sure the documents are properly executed and that your intentions are clearly documented, which can be particularly valuable if someone later claims undue influence or lack of capacity. You may not be able to prevent family members from fighting, but thoughtful planning can make your wishes much harder to misunderstand or successfully challenge. If you expect conflict among your beneficiaries, contact the Law Offices of P. Stephen Aita, PLLC at 253.858.5434 to discuss how a carefully structured estate plan can help protect your wishes and reduce opportunities for disputes after your death.