The Emotional Turmoil of Estate Litigation

May 9, 2018 in Articles | MARTIN WREN, P.C. | LEAVE A COMMENT

Virginia Estate Lawyers

How a family member’s estate is managed after they pass away can get very complicated for the surviving family. In most situations, disputes occur over how the estate is being distributed among relatives, close friends and other loved ones to the deceased. Estate litigation can become a necessary process in order to help resolve these highly emotional disagreements. An attorney at Martin Wren Law can offer legal support during this troublesome time. We understand that you may not only be grieving but now have to endure the complex and stressful job of going through litigation over the remaining legacy of your loved one.

Common Reasons for Estate Litigation

Estate litigation may be needed for a variety of reasons. After a person passes, family members may become disgruntled if they are not receiving the share of assets they thought, or have a suspicion the estate is not being handled in the way it should be. The most common examples of reasons for estate litigation are listed as follows:

  • Disputes between children of parents who passed away, without a will
  • Disputes over the validity of a will
  • Distrust of the executor’s intentions when handling the will
  • Disputes over the fairness of how the assets in a will are to be distributed

Unequal Inheritances

Perhaps the most common reason estate litigation happens is when there is an unequal amount of inheritance between family members who had an equal relationship to the deceased. An example of this, includes when a vast amount of the assets are being left for one child, while the other received no inheritance. Not only can this deepen the grief, but make a child feel as though they were not important to their family member after all. It can cause turbulent emotions and resentments. Due to these rollercoaster emotions, a child may decide to go to court over how these inheritances were distributed.

Why an Attorney is Needed

Estate settlements most often require court supervision, especially when any attempts at resolution during mediation or negotiations have failed. It can help to have a legal professional on your side to offer legal insight throughout each step in the litigation process. We understand just how critical the verdict of litigation may be on you and your loved ones. We take seriously our role to offer support and strategy. We can provide our legal knowledge and help our clients get prepared for what is to come during the estate litigation proceedings.

An attorney at Martin Wren law can consult with you about your concerns over the deceased loved one’s estate. We anticipate that the decision to go to court regarding your loved one’s wishes may be emotionally challenging. If the executor of the will is not handling your cherished family member’s trust with care and diligence, you may decide it is worth the effort to try and make things right. We can help you fight for your loved one’s last wishes, so their legacy can continue on for generations to come.

Contact Our Virginia Lawyers

We serve clients throughout Virginia — from Charlottesville and Central Virginia to metropolitan Richmond; Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley to Roanoke; and the cities of Hampton Roads to the Northern Virginia cities of  Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington.

To speak with one of our attorneys, please call us at (434) 817-3100.

Our Virginia personal injury lawyers at MartinWren, P.C. have a statewide practice and offer free consultations at a time and location that is convenient for you.  We will gladly meet with you at your home or at the hospital, even on nights and weekends.

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