Removing a child from your estate plan

On Behalf of | May 26, 2020 | Estate Planning |

Creating an estate plan is a great way for many people to pass down their assets to loved ones, but some decide to exclude certain family members from their will or trust. For example, some parents do not want to leave anything for one of their children. This is often a very emotional decision and it is not always the right move. However, if you decide that disinheritance is best, it is important to approach this issue cautiously.

Sometimes, people need more time to think about their options and ensure that their decisions are appropriate. Make sure that you take all relevant factors into account before coming to such a conclusion.

Reasons for disinheritance

There are various reasons why parents decide to remove or exclude a child from their estate plan. For example, some children cut contact with their parents and cause significant emotional pain, while their siblings are very involved and caring in their parents’ lives. Some people have kids who struggle with a serious addiction to drugs or alcohol and they worry that their child will misuse inheritance. Furthermore, some people have significant assets and they want to encourage their kids to become successful through their own efforts.

Preventing a will contest

Unfortunately, negative feelings are common when it comes to estate planning decisions and many kids are unhappy with their parents’ decisions. Sometimes, they try to contest a will, which is especially likely if a child is excluded from their parent’s estate plan. Moreover, sibling disputes and rivalries often arise. It is important to think about strategies to reduce the likelihood of a will contest, such as discussing your decisions with your child (although this is not always possible). Go over other parts of our site to read more about handling estate planning issues.