Don't let Contesting a Will Take over Your Life, Seek Professional Advice Instead

Through the difficult time of losing a loved one, that last thing that you need to think about is legalities and complications regarding a Will. There's never a good time to say goodbye to someone who was close, and it's even harder when a Will is contested and things don't go as smoothly as everyone had hoped.

Here's why you should never take on the burden alone, and why it is beneficial for you and the whole family to seek professional advice when you need it the most.

Most of us aren't familiar with the legal terms regarding Wills because we never have to be until it's sprung upon us.

There are different circumstances concerning Wills, and sometimes there are different paths to take depending on the situation surrounding the Will and the family and friends involved.

When a Will is contested, it may be because a member has been left out of the Will, or someone who is in the Will is unhappy with the way things have been shared between those named.

It might be, for example, that the 'favourite' has been left everything, or someone has been left out that feels they were very close and haven't been looked after as they should have been. These types of challenges can either challenge the fairness of the Will or may even be suggesting that fraud has taken place. Those who lodge a challenge want to have the Will changed to something they consider to be more justified.

Walking the Tightrope

As you would expect, legal requirements and legislations regarding Wills are always strict. Since they concern intention, differences of opinion and often large sums of money and property, it can be an extremely sensitive area to navigate. That's why throughout the whole process it could easily be an overwhelming burden, and completely take over your life. Letting an expert take the reins and lift the work from your shoulders will ensure that you are never to blame if complications arise, and you can be sure that no wrong decisions were made because you were in over your head.

Every Step

Following on from our last section, having legal advice right from the beginning will help you make clear and well informed choices. Taking legal advice is absolutely essential with such a volatile and difficult topic as contesting a Will, see http://www.tollers.co.uk/page/contesting-challenging-will for a legal service that may be of interest.

Will contestment could lead to family rifts, and tough decisions that may cause resentment or regret in the future. Right from the start, you may even decide that once you've received advice, contesting a Will isn't the right thing to do! Going ahead in the cases where the will is contested, could mean accepting a long and lengthy process. Having professional advice throughout, and someone who will work around the clock to arrive at a just, unbiased and beneficial solution for everyone is absolutely invaluable. Contesting a Will usually takes at least a year, but can take even longer if there are significant complications, assets or many family members involved. For the sake of your health and your life during this time, it is never worth taking on such a task alone.

Neutrality

One of the most difficult things to cope with during the loss of someone so close is the emotion of it all. Every family and friend grieves in a different way, and this emotionally charged environment can make it extremely difficult to negotiate together without the help of someone outside of the situation.

Ultimately, the most important thing is that the testator is respected, and all of the people that they held dear are looked after and honoured for all their love, support and family bonds. Especially when conflict arises, it is a great help to have someone involved whose motivation and advice is neutral and only focussed on the best outcome for all concerned.

Conclusion

Not many people will ever have to experience the difficult process of dealing with a contested Will, and for those who have it is a new and sometimes intimidating experience. It can take its toll on personal relationships, stress, and lives for months and years. There is no benefit greater than having professional advice and support from those who have helped others time after time before in similar circumstances.

No matter what, protecting your family and honouring the lost loved one comes first, and seeking professional advice instead of taking on such a task alone will help to achieve that.

 

 

Image Credits: Ken_Mayer and wht_wolf9653