A loved one passing away can be an emotionally charged experience. While many people brace themselves for the loss, not everybody is prepared for the logistical challenges that can follow. Chief among these potential problems is the dreaded disputes around inheritance arrangements.
Some family members can rightly or wrongly contest wills for various reasons. It’s not always a good idea to shut down these debates. While you might believe you’re respecting the wishes of your deceased loved one, there could well be mistakes and inconsistencies that are worth reviewing once again.
Still, the motivation to see these bouts of unrest through can waver. Between all the arguing and accusations, not to mention the time and resources, beneficiaries can soon find themselves feeling as if they’re being spread thin, especially if all of this transpires alongside their grieving process.
Here are some ideas that may help you take the stress out of resolving inheritance disputes.
Put Relationships First
The loved one may have made some surprising decisions with their will. It might be that some people will get more money than others. Moreover, none of you may get very much, if anything, if your deceased loved one chose to donate elsewhere.
There are many influences in these circumstances than can alter people’s behaviour. Even the culture can shape people’s money mentality, and so can any hardships, anxieties, and insecurities around one’s finances. Therefore, it’s important to consider everybody’s situations and treat one another like human beings rather than competitors.
Try to put your relationships first throughout the entirety of the process. The last thing on your mind should be to spark tensions and fuel dramatics. If someone important to you has passed, it’s highly likely they wouldn’t want ugly disagreements over their assets to occur soon after. Gently remind any disputers of this fact if necessary.
Remember that people are not always themselves when they’re grieving. Make an effort to be patient and forgive any mild misbehaviour, where possible. While some fellow beneficiaries may snap or lash out occasionally, there’s not always a need for these lapses of judgement to escalate into anything further.
Look for Legal Support
Feelings of isolation can occur during the most stressful moments in life. While there is much legal counsel available for the beneficiaries of wills, not everybody knows they can efficiently help to resolve disputes.
For example, Hugh James employs a range of contentious probate solicitors willing to help with disputes or even the removal of troublesome executors. They can help with many different types of applications, issue and warn off caveats, accept or refuse probate, and much more. Read their website for more details, and get in touch for a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss matters further. They endeavour to provide a tailored service.
There are some situations where swift and decisive action is necessary. Instead of engaging troublesome parties on a personal level, having quality legal representation that can deal with these matters tactfully and with expertise is the far more efficient option. Remember, the aim is to end any complications as swiftly as possible rather than drag disputes out.
Legal representation can also give you the distance from disputes. Any action taken will be in accordance with expert insights and a result of their verdicts. You can hardly be blamed for that, so you have some additional assurances that anything that transpires won’t be taken as a personal, direct slight from you. Much less stress can be felt after that.
Investigate the Inheritance Act
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 was conceived for people who were financially dependent on loved ones who had passed away but not mentioned in the will. If you have a family member in this circumstance, the Inheritance Act should be a useful resource.
It can be stressful to console a family member who’s been left out of a will when they needed some extra help the most. Still, most law firms specialising in contested wills may also deal with Inheritance Act claims and provide the support and reassurances needed.
Of course, exploring this option also means the vulnerable family member won’t be ‘your problem’ as much. If you need a break from the bleak news, quality legal counsel should be able to step in and oversee this process without much, if any, intervention from yourself. Their presence alone can be a comfort to your more vulnerable family members omitted from a will.
Suggesting these solutions may also bring your family closer together. It can show that you’ve put yourself in their shoes and that you’re thinking beyond how you alone benefit from proceedings. Nobody should be left behind, which can quickly resolve disputes and make things much less stressful.
Divide Assets Fairly
Sometimes, not everything is accounted for in a will. Odd items and objects may require a new home, but nothing is specified about who gets what. How you and other beneficiaries manage this process is important. Done well, it can be a painless process.
Try to vary how you all share these assets. For example, sometimes, people can’t agree on the value of an asset they’re claiming. Instead of endless arguing, it may be best to value the asset, liquidate it, and evenly split the costs among beneficiaries. Of course, doing this can be unfortunate, especially if the object has sentimental value, but it’s a quick and fair solution nevertheless.
If you can share amongst yourselves, perhaps ownership responsibilities can be transferred between yourself and other beneficiaries for a set period? Alternatively, you could implement a lottery system with your deceased loved one’s belongings. That way, everybody gets something without having a specific choice on what that is.
Diversifying your efforts here will likely help your cause the most. After all, with a lottery system, there’s always a chance at least one person won’t be content with anything they received. Sharing belongings can be more of an inconvenience than an exciting prospect, especially over longer distances. Work out what’s best for your loved ones with a well-meaning discussion.
Consider Giving Up Some Inheritance
Not everybody should give up portions of their inheritance. However, there are some circumstances where it could be the right thing to do for yourself and others. Where you land on the issue depends on a case-by-case basis.
Many mistakes can be made when it comes to wills. Miscommunications can occur, or parents may unreasonably favour one child over the other. Whatever the situation is, stepping in to lend a helping hand is a valid move and could help draw a fitting end to the process before any lengthy disputes arise.
There may be additional fees and tax costs if you explore this route. However, it’s quite likely that you’ll feel great satisfaction helping loved ones who’ve been left out in the cold. Ultimately, doing what’s right can be worth the price and improve your relationships at such a crucial time.
Try not to feel stressed about going against your deceased loved one’s wishes. While it’s understandable to try and honour a fair and well-reasoned will, there’s also the case that the person behind it has passed, and you can do with your inheritance as you see fit. It’s your money now, so if you believe there have been oversights or misjudgements, you can always attempt to rectify them yourself.