Estate Planning | Making a Difference One Family at a Time

//  by 

We live during interesting times as they say, and when you think about estate planning things are not always simple. The idea of a couple who have never been divorced with three children and six grandchildren being the standard for all cases is simply not realistic.

This is the age of the blended family, and there are family dynamics that are even more unconventional than simple divorce and remarriage cases. As a result, there can be various different interested parties who may have varying perspectives on things after you pass away.

Given this reality you must be extraordinarily careful about stating your wishes very clearly, especially if you know that it is likely that some people close to you may not be particularly pleased with your decisions.

There are some high profile cases that underscore the need to be extremely explicit. One of these would be the case of Anna Nicole Smith. The deceased Ms. Smith contended that her billionaire husband J. Howard Marshall intended to leave her half of his estate and made an oral commitment to her. His son who was named in his will contested this assertion.

The matter raged on in courts for some 15 years before being decided by the Supreme Court last year, and the battle actually outlived both of the combatants.

The point is that your estate can be held up in court for a very long time if you do not make your wishes absolutely clear. To discuss your situation with an expert, simply take a moment to arrange for a consultation with a seasoned, savvy Hartford estate planning lawyer.

Jeffrey A. Nirenstein, Estate Planning Attorney
Latest posts by Jeffrey A. Nirenstein, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
Spread the love