Do You Need To Contest A Will?

If you need to challenge a will, the Center for Elder Law & Estate Planning is here to help. We understand the emotional turmoil that will contests can introduce, which is why our lawyer will help you explore all of your options and carefully guide you through every step of the process.

When you believe a will was improperly influenced or tampered with against your loved one’s wishes, you need high quality representation. We can help you protect your rights, your family and your peace of mind.

When Should I Contest A Will?

Disputes over last wills and testaments are not uncommon. After all, a loved one’s entire legacy may be on the line. There are two primary ways a will can be shown to be invalid:

• Undue influence: This occurs when one person coerces your loved one or takes advantage of a position of power to alter the will in an attempt to gain more of the estate.
• Incapacity: When your loved one was not in a sound mental and legal capacity at the time he or she created or altered their will, it may invalidate all or parts of the document.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to notice when these two scenarios occur. If you notice any of these red flags, it may be time to consider contesting the will:

• Last-minute changes to a will (a deathbed will)
• Changes made when a person is in a nursing facility
• Changes made while a person is under court guardianship or changes made by a new attorney rather than the family’s long-standing attorney
• Inheritance of everything by a second spouse while children from the first marriage are excluded

If you believe a will is invalid, reach out to us to assess the situation and explain how to proceed. Our attorney has represented clients across Massachusetts in these difficult and sensitive cases. Call 888-784-0864 to set up an initial consultation, or reach out online to get started.