As many of us know all too well, the period after a loved one’s death and before their estate is settled is difficult for everyone. The family is grieving the loss of the deceased person and emotions may be running high. Sometimes a family member has expectations about the property they will receive from the deceased, and may be surprised or disappointed if their expectations aren’t met.
These situations require help from a highly skilled Royal Oak inheritance fights lawyer. The respected probate law attorneys at The Probate Pro devote their careers to helping people in all manner of conflicts. We are unmatched at achieving excellent results in probate disputes, and now we want to help you bring an end to your inheritance fight.
When someone dies without a will, property they own solely in their own name must go through probate. During probate, someone the court appoints (called the personal representative) collects the decedent’s property, settles their debts, and distributes the rest of their assets to their heirs.
Michigan Consolidated Laws § 700.2102 says that a surviving spouse will get the bulk of the decedent’s estate, but the amount of the property they receive depends on other factors, children or parents, may also receive shares of the decedent’s property.
Disputes often happen in cases where the decedent has no will, because a relative may expect more than the law provides for them. A decedent may have even made promises to people who are not entitled to receive any part of their estate under the law. A Royal Oak attorney from our team can provide aggressive legal support to an heir or a personal representative involved in an inheritance fight that requires skillful management.
When someone dies with a valid will, that document describes who gets which property. You would think that having a will would prevent heirs from fighting over the decedent’s property, but unfortunately, it is common for an unhappy family member to contest a will anyway.
An heir could claim that someone exercised coercion or undue influence on the decedent, leading them to create a will that did not reflect the decedent’s actual wishes. When a decedent was infirm or elderly when they signed the will, an heir could claim that the decedent was not of sound mind when they signed it. Sometimes a provision in the will is ambiguous and heirs disagree about how it should be interpreted. This can produce a nasty fight, especially if the heirs are already on poor terms.
Our experienced attorneys in our Royal Oak office assist personal representatives, family members, and other heirs in inheritance-related conflicts. Our legal professionals will first try to negotiate an acceptable resolution. If that doesn’t work, we love to show off our courtroom skills, and we do it with great success!
You don’t have time to drag an inheritance fight out for months on end. It is critical for disappointed heirs and family members to seek legal representation as quickly as possible, as there’s only a brief window to contest a will. Michigan does not have a deadline to open probate after a decedent’s death, but starting the process quickly is advantageous for everyone. When there are objections, the estate is addressed through formal probate administration.
These situations are complex and often emotionally draining. The Royal Oak attorneys at The Probate Pro approach inheritance fights with confidence because we know we’re the best, and you are in good hands when you come to us for help.
Challenging situations arise when a decedent’s heir feels shortchanged or taken aback at the decedent’s decisions. Grief often heightens these emotions and disputes can become intense. You need a professional to help sort it out – and we are ready for the job.
A Royal Oak inheritance fights lawyer combines deep legal knowledge, a calm presence, and a willingness to fight for what’s right. You won’t find better representation anywhere. Get in touch immediately if you are involved in an inheritance dispute.