When it comes to succession matters, whether the deceased left a will or didn’t, the process should ideally proceed peacefully. ‘Peacefully’ means that the surviving family members decide to take care of any liabilities involving the deceased’s estate and later distribute it to the rightful beneficiaries. Sadly, this is often not the case, and estates fall into dispute.

Common Causes of Disputes

There are various reasons why succession matters end up in court, including:

  • The identification of many different heirs in a will: Some testators identify several heirs in a will, and the more the heirs, the more opportunities for these people to disagree.
  • Will interpretation: A will that uses ambiguous language can lead to varying interpretations of asset distribution and, hence, disputes.
  • Perceived unfairness: Tensions usually escalate when the proposed distribution of the estate is seemingly unfair.
  • Multiple executors: If multiple family members are named as executors, there’s the potential for disputes due to family tensions.
  • Micromanagement: Will executors can face intense scrutiny from estate beneficiaries, which can affect the execution of their duties.
  • Mismanagement: Some executors can mismanage the estate, raising issues with the beneficiaries who will resort to resolving differences in court.

Legal Approaches to Managing These Disputes

  • Probate Court Proceedings: In disputes arising in estate litigation cases involving multiple beneficiaries, one legal approach to resolving these disputes is to take them to a probate court. The court can ensure that the estate is administered according to the testator’s wishes. In addition, the court can validate the will, resolve ambiguities, and interpret the will’s provisions.
  • Mediation and Arbitration: In estate litigation cases involving multiple beneficiaries, the court might encourage or even require that the parties involved seek mediation or arbitration to resolve existing disputes. A mediator should facilitate negotiations between the parties in dispute to guide them to a settlement.
  • Fiduciary Duties: The will trustees or executors must manage the estate in a way that suits the interests of the multiple beneficiaries.

Protect Your Inheritance Rights with Effective Litigation

Despite the complexities of estate litigation involving multiple beneficiaries, you have a right to enjoy your inheritance. At Williams Litigation Group, we are committed to helping beneficiaries protect the wishes of their loved ones and ensure their rights are upheld. Contact us to safeguard your rightful inheritance.