It is normally a good idea to tell your family how you plan to distribute your assets in your estate plan. It is a good way to help prevent fighting later on. However, what happens when you later change your mind and your family already has plans about how to use their inheritances?
Estate planning attorneys normally advise their clients to communicate with their children about what kind of inheritance to expect and to even explain the reasons certain arrangements are being made. This approach can help eliminate the possibility that siblings will later fight with each other in court over their inheritances.
On the other hand, if the parents later decide to change their estate plans, then that can cause issues, as well.
A recent column in the Washington Post, titled “Carolyn Hax: A late change to dad’s will is causing resentment,” is an example of just such a case.
It seems a father had planned to distribute his assets between his five children. However, three of those children had taken out loans against their inheritances. Now, the father changed his will to forgive those loans and to distribute whatever is left equally between all children. As you might expect, the siblings who did not take out a loan from the father are feeling some resentment.
A simple solution to this situation does not exist.
If you do decide to change your estate plan after telling your children about your plan, it is very important that you tell them about the changes. If they were expecting one thing and are surprised by something else after you pass away, family fights are almost guaranteed.
An experienced estate planning attorney can help you communicate your intentions, as well as provide ideas to avoid resentment over an inheritance among your children.
Please contact our office today at 239-225-7911 to schedule an appointment with Barbara M. Pizzolato if you are interested in protecting your legacy and need to create or update your estate plan. You may also wish to attend one of our free seminars.
Reference: Washington Post (November 6, 2014) “Carolyn Hax: A late change to dad’s will is causing resentment“
