Arguments over inheritance happen more often than people think. And it’s usually not because the will was unclear or the assets were complicated. It’s because emotions run high, old wounds resurface, and people don’t always know how to handle loss and legal paperwork at the same time.
If you’re working on your estate plan, you’ve probably asked yourself some version of this question: how do I make sure my kids don’t end up fighting over all of this?
There’s no one answer, but there are a few things that help.
Be specific. If you name one of your children to manage your estate, don’t just give them the title and hope for the best. Explain what they can and can’t do. If you want decisions to be made as a group, say that clearly. Put it in writing. If you don’t, it’s too easy for things to get personal, fast.
Have the conversation. Not later. Now. If you’re planning to divide things unequally, your children deserve to hear it from you directly. Not from an attorney. Not from a court file. And not at a time when they’re already grieving. Maybe one child helped care for you. Maybe another struggled financially. Whatever your reasons are, giving them context while you’re alive can help avoid confusion later.
They might not agree. That’s okay. But they won’t be left wondering why.
Even with careful planning, emotions can still get in the way. But if your wishes are clear, and your family knows what to expect, you’ve already done more than most.
At Fletcher Estate Planning, we help Georgia families put solid plans in place. Plans that hold up, even when things get complicated. If that’s something you’ve been meaning to take care of, we’re ready when you are.
