High Conflict Probate

The death of a loved one brings sadness, and we would like to think that we can turn to other family members for support. We would like to think that the person chosen to manage our loved one’s estate is honest and will do so in everyone’s best interest. But what happens if the person charged with acting as personal representative refuses to provide information? What happens if you see your dad’s Last Will and realize that everything goes to the brother who never quite got his act together? What if you notice that the Last Will is dated only few months before mom passed, after she was already receiving nursing home care for Alzheimer’s?

CONFLICT . . . AND COMPLEXITY

These “what if” scenarios will result in conflict with and hostility towards the person appointed personal representative, and may result in conflict among the other family members. The scenarios also raise the complex issues of breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence, and testamentary capacity. A lot of factors come into play in these types of cases. A person has the right to leave his or her entire estate to one child and exclude the other children. One child receiving the bulk or all of the estate does not, by itself, prove foul play. A condition such as Alzheimer’s can progress from showing minimal symptoms to severe loss of memory and thinking abilities. An Alzheimer’s sufferer can have good days and bad days, or be “fresh” in the morning after a good night’s sleep and fade as the day draws to a close. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s does not, by itself, prevent a person from signing a will. Therefore, these cases can result in long and costly litigation that require the employment of experts in forensic psychology and possibly forensic accounting.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Personal property is the legal term for “stuff around the house.” Sometimes these items can be very valuable, but most of the time the value is more sentimental than financial. A lot of resentment and hostility arises simply because a family member donated an item to charity that they believed was “junk” when in fact it brought back fond memories of another family member’s childhood. Before you decide to litigate over personal items, think of the costs. Remember also that the remedy is the market value of the item, which is generally less than most people believe it should be, and certainly cannot make up for the lost sentimental value. A court generally cannot force a third-party who received the item to give it back.

TRUSTEES CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL

Trusts have become very popular as a way to “avoid probate.” However, just because a trust can be administered without a court proceeding does not mean that a trustee cannot be held accountable. Like personal representatives, trustees are held to very high standards and have a duty to manage the trust in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If a trustee breaches any of these duties, they can be sued in court just like a personal representative.

NEXT STEPS

Breaches of duty, undue influence, and testamentary capacity are complex issues that can result in long and costly litigation. Our probate attorneys will thoroughly review your case and provide a road map to help you make an informed decision before moving forward with any litigation.