One way or another your own mortality will begin to play on your mind. No one lives forever, so what happens when you die? For some this is a case of ensuring their children get enough to support them as they grow older. For others, it involves ensuring that the business they built from a young age passes into the right hands and is continued successfully. But, what you may not account for during this is how your family will feel about the whole ordeal. If your family is prone to drama, then it can be an especially contentious period.
With that in mind, here are some of the best ways that you can go about estate planning in the most drama-free way possible.
Take Pre-Existing Drama into Account
Family drama is the most difficult to navigate when it comes to issues such as a Will or estate planning. The fact is that people get angry in these circumstances; whether at the thought of losing the one doing the planning or due to other bits and pieces of drama under the surface of family lives. Homes with blended families can be especially vulnerable to such drama.
You may not be able to appease everyone when it comes to sorting out your estate. But, you should try to avoid causing any unnecessary issues after your death. Try to avoid riling emotions when tensions are already particularly high. It may be natural that you leave more to one part of your family over another; just be sure to explain this fully to avoid any hurt feelings in the matter. Which leads on to the next point…
Tell People
There is nothing that causes contentious probate claims faster than a family member who was unaware of their position in your estate planning. It means the involvement of dispute resolution solicitors and can drag on for months, even a year after your death. Meaning no one can benefit until the issue is resolved.
Likely, this will mean they don’t feel they were left as much as they were warranted. But, a quick conversation while you’re alive explaining the ins and outs of the Will and estate plan would quickly solve this issue. They may not like it, but at least they would have your final word on the matter. Thus making it much harder for them to contest after your death (especially if you make the conversation a known entity).
Update When Necessary
Children are born, family members die and divorces happen. Your family can quickly re-shape over a long period of time. That is why effectively updating your estate plan to match this evolving family-scape is vital.
If a falling out does happen in the family, so much so you wish to remove someone from your Will or estate planning, then it is best to inform them of this fact. This way they can’t claim they were unaware of any changes or the like after your death, resulting in far less chance of successful probate.
Final Thoughts
No one wants to think about the inevitability that they will one day die. In fact, if your estate planning were to be a pleasant thing then everyone would do it easily. But, to save your family even more grief and drama after your death it is vital that you successfully plan your estate. It may not be a pleasant thing to do, but it can quickly become one of the best and most successful things you ever do.