Many people leave their assets to their surviving spouse, then equally to their children. What happens when a person leaves unequal shares to his or her children? Is there a way to do this without causing a knock-down-drag-out fight between the kids?
Jane Bryant Quinn discusses this in her article, “Leaving a Fair Will,” in the May 2012 AARP magazine. Perhaps the best way to prevent the kids from battling World War III is to plan ahead and plan well. Work with an experienced estate planning attorney. Inform your children of your plan while you are alive; doing this is probably the best way to diffuse a potentially volatile situation after you are gone.
For more information in estate planning or engaging your children in estate planning please contact Marlaine C. Teahan, Chair of the Trusts & Estates Department, at (517) 377-0869 or mteahan@fraserlawfirm.com, or visit us on line at www.fraserlawfirm.com.