Five Reasons Someone Can Contest Your Will

When you plan for your estate, you hope that assets transfer smoothly to your chosen beneficiaries. But that’s not always the case, as you might have found out personally if involved in the estate of a loved one who passed away.

There are steps you can take to minimize the chances of someone opening a will contest in your own estate. It’s recommended that you work with a trusted attorney in Virginia Beach, VA to reduce those risks. When you’re clear about your own goals and document them well, there are fewer chances that your estate winds up in the midst of a probate dispute.

Basic probate laws outline situations in which someone is eligible to contest your will. Contesting a will can be a serious issue, particularly if you intended for your probate to be processed seamlessly to allow your chosen beneficiaries. The support of an experienced and dedicated estate planning lawyer can go a long way in helping you to accomplish your goals and minimize the possibility of a will challenge. There are five major reasons that someone might challenge your will. These include;

• Proof of the existence of a later valid will
• Unclear provisions within the will
• Inappropriate or insufficient witnesses to the signing of the will
• Someone exerting undue influence over the testator
• Incapacity of the deceased individual when they wrote the will

Only a person with legal standing is eligible to pursue a will contest in your situation. It is extremely important to consult with a dedicated lawyer as soon as possible to create your own estate plan and minimize the possibility of problems with future will contests.