Time to put a stop to family feuding
Brothers and sisters who fall out over a Will often never speak to each other again. Most family arguments blow over sooner or later but when there is money involved – especially a Will – it can be enough to break a family apart.
A recent survey showed that inheritance rows are a major cause of family friction. The majority of the arguments were said to be between brothers and sisters, with 42 per cent never speaking to each other again.
“No parent wants to see their children at each other’s throats,” says Richard Hall at Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP. “But if you leave a Will that isn’t clear or can be contested, then you could be creating the conditions for a major family row. Leaving your estate to your loved ones should be a way of looking after them. But a badly written Will – or worse still no Will at all – could turn out to be a poisoned chalice.”
The survey showed that 62 per cent of those questioned had not drawn up a Will.
“We know, from bitter experience, that too many people locally have not drawn up an effective Will,” says Richard Hall. “It’s something that can easily be put right. And it’s much more costs effective to get a Will drawn up properly now, than have those you leave behind fighting each other through the courts for years after you’re gone. After all, is that how any of us want to be remembered –as the cause of a row?”
Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP are urging local people to update their Wills or have one drawn up for the first time now – there are better things to be doing! Put it on your ‘to-do’ list, and make sure it’s at the top!
For more information please contact our Moordown office on 01202 527 008
