Regardless of the relationship among beneficiaries when the testator (the person who drafts a will) is alive, conflicts can arise after death. Siblings who are on good terms may disagree once the will takes effect.
Below are three common factors that can contribute to such conflicts:
Unequal inheritance
Testators use their own criteria to distribute wealth. In some estate plans, inheritance is not usually distributed equally – one sibling may receive more assets. Disagreements may arise if the testator fails to explain their decision – for example, one of the beneficiaries has significant financial needs or the testator is compensating them for caregiving.
The beneficiary or beneficiaries with fewer assets may have feelings of unfairness and resentment. Accordingly, they may contest the will, believing those could not have been the wishes of the testator.
Inheritance of certain assets
If there is a particular asset that a beneficiary believes they need to inherit, misunderstandings may arise if the estate plan states otherwise. For example, a beneficiary who spent time learning about and being active in the family business may expect to inherit it. If this does not happen, they may be confused, which can result in disagreements between them and the party designated in the estate plan to take over the business.
The complications of blended families
Estate distribution is not always different for blended families, but the chances of misunderstandings can be high, especially between biological and stepchildren. And this can worsen when unequal inheritance is at play.
A child who receives less may question the worth of their relationship with their deceased parent and such emotions can be directed to their siblings.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the wishes of a testator. But if you believe something is not adding up, legal guidance can help protect your loved one’s legacy and wishes.