Simply put, a will makes clear how a person wishes his or her estate to be distributed after he or she passes away. In a perfect world, the executor of the estate will see to it that the instructions are followed properly, the estate is settled, and life goes on. Unfortunately, things do not always go perfectly during estate administration, … Read More
Estate Administration Headache Number 1: Battling Heirs
Even professional estate administrators and lawyers dislike handling estates where there are multiple contentious heirs working at cross-purposes with one another. Sometimes dissatisfied heirs try to undermine the probate process by selling off some of the estate’s holdings, but more often than not, the in-fighting is demoralizing and creates chaos. Siblings dredge up decades-old grudges and revert to their childhood … Read More
Can I contest my relative’s will?
The courts and government of British Columbia recognize the autonomy of individuals to leave their estate to the people they choose. With that being said, however, there are certain circumstances wherein it may be possible to contest the terms of a will being probated here in British Columbia. There are three categories of heirs or potential heirs who may contest … Read More
Dodging Family Feuds While Administering an Estate
Elderly parents with several adult children sometimes elect to choose one child to be the executor of their estates when they die. This may give them comfort to think that they carefully selected the fairest and most responsible of their brood to carry out their final intentions, but this choice can foment bad blood between the siblings. Problems often arise … Read More
When a Will Is Vague, Estate Administration May Be Complicated
The responsibility of being executor of an estate, or the British Columbia court-appointed administer, is a heavy burden. Fortunately, a well written will leaves little room for doubt as to what needs to be done with the deceased’s assets. Vague wording, however, can lead to misinterpretation and may complicate the task of estate administration. When specific instructions are not left … Read More
Unruly heirs? Welcome to the estate administration world
Sometimes the administrators of estates have to deal with demanding and unpleasant heirs and beneficiaries. If they are really unlucky, they may even be related to them by blood or marriage. In cases like that, the best strategy is learning how to best manage these types of people. Often their disagreeable behaviours stem from a lack of control over what … Read More
Can I Administer My Mom’s Estate Without Killing My Siblings?
If you are the administrator of your parent’s estate and you have at least one sibling, chances are good that you have first-hand experience with frustration. There’s something about parental inheritance that turns otherwise pleasantly civil siblings into the snarling and scrapping toddlers they once were. When the estate administrator is also an heir, he or she might have to … Read More
Dealing with Disgruntled Heirs
If you are handling the probate process as an estate administrator, one challenge you may encounter are disappointed beneficiaries. There can be many reasons for their disappointment, and few of them will likely be because of decisions that you make. However, it will be to you whom they turn with their dissatisfaction, so you must be prepared should this occur. … Read More