When a loved one passes away, their estate plan might have an executor named. This individual guides the estate through the probate process, and they have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. One thing that some might have to deal with is an unhappy heir or beneficiary. When this happens, they have to be careful about how they handle the situation.
In order to contest a will, the person has to have a valid reason, and they must be someone who is legally able to challenge it. The reasons for contesting a will are spelled out in the law, so they need to know about these. Some examples of reasons include writing the plan under duress or being unduly influenced.
Only certain people can contest the will. This includes people who are named in the intestate succession plan outlined by the State of Michigan. It also includes anyone who is named in the current will or a previous version of the will.
One thing that you have to think about in these cases is that will contests can tear the family apart. These are often emotional matters because everyone involved thinks that they know what the decedent would have wanted. Everyone wants what’s due to them, and they might think that the person who’s contesting is trying to take what’s theirs.
As the executor of the estate, you have to walk a fine line. You must ensure that you’re doing what’s right for the estate and that you’re complying with the law. This may put you in a tough situation sometimes, so having someone you can count on for help might be beneficial.
