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Home Âğ Avoid the Family Feuds: Discuss Estate Planning Ahead of Time

Avoid the Family Feuds: Discuss Estate Planning Ahead of Time

January 10, 2014 by Stephen Unsworth

Estate planning should not be kept between you and your attorney. By ignoring the most important part of estate planning, you can cause nasty family feuds later down the road. After all, what good is your well-thought out estate plan if your children, spouse and other family members spend all of their time fighting it out in court later on?

The Risks with Not Talking

When you don’t discuss your estate plan with the family, you leave the plan open for litigation. Money and asset matters are highly sensitive, especially for those who find out after death that they are not receiving any. Therefore, when you meet with your estate planning attorney make sure you have already run by your plan with the family members included and not included in the Will.

Use Mediation if Necessary

If you feel that some family members will contest the decisions in court no matter what, you need to protect all of the work from your estate planning. Use an attorney or third party mediator to discuss your estate planning documents with family member and have it documented. That way no one can contest decisions made in your Will later down the road.

Learn more about estate planning and talking to family at one of our Free Seminars.

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Stephen Unsworth
Stephen Unsworth
Stephen A. Unsworth is admitted to practice in both Vermont and Maine, and has more than 30 years of experience in estate planning and business law. His mission is to provide quality estate planning services, including assistance with Living Trusts, Wills, Medicaid Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Powers of Attorney, Special Needs Planning, and Family Limited Partnerships Read More!
Stephen Unsworth
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26 Railroad Ave
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