Q&A

Is it wrong to contest a will?

Is it wrong to contest a will?

If a will does not include the true wishes of the person making the will, or if the will has not been executed correctly, it may be invalid and can, therefore, be contested.

What happens if there is no contest in a will?

Your state’s law will affect how effective a no-contest clause will be—or if it will be effective at all. In Florida and Indiana, courts do not enforce no-contest clauses. In these states, a beneficiary who sues to invalidate part or all of your will, but loses, still inherits whatever you left him or her in your will.

Is there any way to stop family members contesting your will?

There is no guarantee that these strategies will completely stop a claim being made by family members.

When does a will contest begin in probate?

What Is a Will Contest? Under probate law, wills can only be contested by spouses, children or people who are mentioned in the will or a previous will. When one of these people notifies the court that they believe there is a problem with the will, a will contest begins.

How can I prevent a challenge to my will?

One of the most effective ways of preventing a challenge to your will is to include a no-contest clause (also called an “in terrorem clause”) in the will. This will only work if you are willing to leave something of value to the potentially disgruntled family member.

How can I avoid someone contesting my will?

Estate Litigation lawyer Lucy McPherson discusses some of the issues on how to avoid someone contesting your Will and some common myths and practical advice for those making their wills to avoid claims against their estate.

Can a no contest clause be included in a will?

A no-contest clause, also called an in terrorem clause, is a provision that you can include in your will or revocable living trust which states that if anyone files a lawsuit to challenge who you have provided for in your estate plan, then the person challenging the will or trust will receive nothing from your estate.

What happens if a sibling contests a last will?

A last will is a legal document that isn’t easily tossed aside. Just because your sibling decides to contest the will doesn’t mean they are going to actually overturn the will. Some siblings threaten a will contest when they feel slighted or hurt and don’t ever follow through.

How to contest a last will and testament?

How to Contest a Will A last will and testament is presumed to be valid by the probate court if it is in the proper format. A will or a codicil to a will (an amendment made to a will after it has been signed) can only be contested for very specific legal reasons and the process begins when an interested person notifies the court.