Will Contest Prevention

1. Will Contest Prevention

2. Reasons to Anticipate Will Contest • 1. Exclusion of natural objects of bounty

3. Reasons to Anticipate Will Contest • 1. Exclusion of natural objects of bounty • 2. Unequal treatment of children

4. Reasons to Anticipate Will Contest • 1. Exclusion of natural objects of bounty • 2. Unequal treatment of children • 3. Sudden or significant change in disposition plan

5. Reasons to Anticipate Will Contest • 1. Exclusion of natural objects of bounty • 2. Unequal treatment of children • 3. Sudden or significant change in disposition plan • 4. Excessive restrictions on gifts to beneficiaries who are also heirs

6. Reasons to Anticipate Will Contest • 1. Exclusion of natural objects of bounty • 2. Unequal treatment of children • 3. Sudden or significant change in disposition plan • 4. Excessive restrictions on gifts to beneficiaries who are also heirs • 5. Elderly or disabled testator

7. Reasons to Anticipate Will Contest • 1. Exclusion of natural objects of bounty • 2. Unequal treatment of children • 3. Sudden or significant change in disposition plan • 4. Excessive restrictions on gifts to beneficiaries who are also heirs • 5. Elderly or disabled testator • 6. Testator who behaves strangely

8. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 1. Include in terrorem (no contest) (forfeiture) provision • Beneficiary who contests and loses forfeits testamentary gift.

9. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 1. Include in terrorem (no contest) (forfeiture) provision • Good faith/just cause contests will not trigger forfeiture. • PC§ 64 • EC § 254.005

10. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 1. Include in terrorem (no contest) (forfeiture) provision • Strictly construed. • Will not enforce if violate public policy such as forfeiture for suing executor for breach of duty.

11. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 1. Include in terrorem (no contest) (forfeiture) provision • Drafting guidelines: • Create substantial risk

12. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 1. Include in terrorem (no contest) (forfeiture) provision • Drafting guidelines: • Create substantial risk • Describe triggering conduct

13. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 1. Include in terrorem (no contest) (forfeiture) provision • Drafting guidelines: • Create substantial risk • Describe triggering conduct • Indicate beneficiary of forfeited property

14. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 2. Do not explain reasons for property disposition.

15. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 3. Avoid bitter or hateful language.

16. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 4. Use holographic “back up” will.

17. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 5. Enhance will execution ceremony.

18. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 6. Video-record will execution ceremony.

19. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 7. Select witnesses thoughtfully.

20. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 8. Obtain affidavits of individuals familiar with testator.

21. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 9. Document transactions with testator verifying intent.

22. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 10. Obtain other evidence to document testator’s actions.

23. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 11. Preserve prior will if better than intestacy.

24. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 12. Reexecute same will on regular basis.

25. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 13. Consider a more “traditional” disposition.

26. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 14. “Trick” disinherited potential heir with inter vivos gift.

27. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 15. Use non-probate techniques.

28. Techniques – The “Tool Box” • 16. “Buy off” disinherited potential heir – contract not to contest.