How a Pasadena Probate Attorney Can Help Resolve Inheritance Disputes

Inheritances can often lead to hurt emotions and, even worse, family feuds. Sometimes it is often better to bring in a third party, such as a probate attorney, to resolve inheritance disputes.

Below are common ways a probate attorney can assist you when there is an inheritance dispute among family members.

Estates

When there is a dispute on an estate that contains unusual assets or is very large, a probate attorney can assist you. The attorney can advise you on the legal rights and remedies and about your options for resolving the dispute, including dealing with probate court as well as alternative forms of dispute resolution.

Estates with unusual assets can sometimes involve family members who have a sentimental attachment to one or more of the assets. A probate attorney can help you identify what those assets mean to you and your family members, so you can get to the root cause of the dispute, and then can help you resolve it.

Estates with large assets are more complex and can lead to more conflicts among family members. A probate attorney can assist you in getting a grasp of what the estate comprises so you have a better understanding of what you may be entitled to and the perspective of your family members.

Wills

Often, ambiguities in a will, family dynamics, or a particular family member that feels like they were treated unfairly can lead to family disputes with a will.

A probate attorney can assist in interpreting the terms of a will and determining what the intent of the will was at the time it was written. Often, there are different versions of the will advocated by various family members. Having an experienced probate attorney on your side can make a big difference if you have to go to court to challenge what other family members are saying.

If there is no will, then the estate will go through the probate court process. A trusted probate attorney will not only help you navigate probate court proceedings but also work with you to resolve disputes with family members. Additionally, a probate attorney can help you in getting to the root cause of the family dynamics, or even reach out and discuss the matter with jilted family members.

Heirlooms

When there are disputes over heirlooms, a probate attorney can assist you for the same reasons. A probate attorney can help you identify what that heirloom meant to each family member, as well as outline the laws that govern the passing down of valuable family heirlooms.

Mediation

Probate court can be a limited forum where the Court decides the outcome in favor of one side or the other. Alternative dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration and mediation, allow all parties to air their grievances and a neutral mediator to assist in bringing an inheritance dispute to a close. A probate attorney can determine with you if alternative dispute resolution is appropriate and also help mediate disputes between family members to determine the root cause of the dispute.

Hire a Probate Attorney to Help You

A probate attorney can identify the problems underlying the inheritance dispute with family members and help you bring it to resolution. The Law Office of Richard S. Jacinto, Inc. has over 30 years of experience in helping families and individuals in probate matters in Pasadena. Contact us to schedule your appointment.