4 Situations That Can Allow Your Family Members To Ignore Your Estate Planning Wishes

If you make an estate plan then, within that estate plan, there will be documents that clarify these wishes. Your family members must honor your wishes when you pass away.

Even though the above is true, there are situations that, if present, can allow your family members to ignore your estate planning wishes. And, in ignoring your estate planning wishes, these wishes may be violated.

Going over four situations that can allow your family members to ignore your estate planning wishes, and speaking with an estate planning lawyer, will make it easier for your estate planning wishes to be honored. 

Situation 01: A Dispute In The Family 

If there is a dispute in your family, regarding your estate plan and the wishes you have outlined, one of your family members could contest your will/trust. And, in doing so, they could make it harder for your wishes to be honored.

You can make it more difficult for family members to contest your will/trust by adding certain measures to your will/trust, among other documents. These can make it easier for your estate planning wishes to be honored. 

Situation 02: Your Estate Planning Documents Are Vague 

If your estate planning documents are vague, there is a chance your will/trust could be invalid. This means that the wishes clarified within this will/trust cannot be honored.

To prevent this from occurring, you can work with a lawyer. Your lawyer will help you draft a will that satisfies the laws and regulations that underlie Florida’s estate planning laws. 

Situation 03: No Communication With Your Family 

If you fail to communicate your estate planning wishes prior to your death, some of your family members may be blindsided by your choices.

In the event that something like the above happens, your family members could dispute your wishes. This could lead to your will/trust being contested, on the grounds that you did not make these decisions of sound mind.

You can avoid this by communicating your wishes to all of the family members connected to the estate plan. You can also work with a lawyer who will make it harder for your will/trust to be contested.

Situation 04: You Didn’t Update Your Estate Plan 

A wide variety of life changes can force you to adjust your estate plan. But, if you never do so, then your estate plan may not reflect your current wishes.

Just as an example, if you get divorced, your estate plan must reflect this. And, if it doesn’t, your assets may go to the wrong people. Or, the estate plan may be contested, in its entirety, which could lead to valid disputes.

If you want to avoid these disputes, and make sure your assets go to the right people, you must update your estate plan after any major life changes occur.

Speak With A Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Today 

If you want to develop an estate plan that satisfies your needs, you should work with a lawyer who can help. Speak with a Florida estate planning lawyer at Millhorn Elder Law Planning Group today and we will help you develop an estate plan that works for you.

 Sources: 

law.cornell.edu/wex/will

law.cornell.edu/wex/will_contest