LEGAL

3 Valuable Tips To Avoid Trust Disputes and Contests

Trusts are the most preferred way to secure your legacy and leave behind your inheritance for your loved ones. When you die, the beneficiaries mentioned in your trust will receive your assets like property, bank account, and other valuables. As stated by the San Diego County Assessor’s Office, all the physical property assets in San Diego are worth more than $627.25 billion. Though the sizable portions of these properties belong to schools, industries, and hospitals, a big part of these properties belongs to personal owners that their successors will inherit. 

Though your will contains all the details about who will inherit your property in San Diego, minor inconsistencies in information can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts among the beneficiaries. If you own substantial property in San Diego, hiring a trust attorney San Diego would be reasonable and practical. To further help you, here are three valuable tips to avoid trust disputes. 

  • Discuss your plans of forming a trust with the people affected by the trust

Many property owners in San Diego often underestimate the importance of discussing their trust with beneficiaries. It’s important to discuss your plans about your trust with the people who will be affected by it. Your spouse, children, and people who depend on you financially are the people who face the direct impact of your trust. The lack of communication can create misunderstanding and complications in the process. A trust attorney can help mediate between the trust owner and beneficiaries. Consulting a family therapist can also help avoid misunderstandings and unmanaged expectations before leading to conflicts.

  • Do not disclose more than you should

Though it’s good to discuss your plan to form a will with your family, you shouldn’t disclose more information than you should. Informing the beneficiaries and what assets they would inherit can create conflicts between the family members. These conflicts can further lead to disputes and legal lawsuits as well. That’s why it’s best to keep some details of your will private.  

  • Hire a Licensed Trust Attorney

According to San Diego Trust Laws, if a deceased person does not have any trust or will in place, the government has the right to liquidate the assets, pay debts, taxes, and outstanding loans, and distribute the assets among the direct successors of the deceased person. 

Your trust determines who will receive your assets after your death. You can name your spouse, kids, friends, and anyone you like as your beneficiary in the trust. Even a minor mistake can risk awarding your entire property to the wrong beneficiaries. That’s why it’s always a good idea to hire a trust attorney in San Diego to guide you through all the legal procedures to form a will and distribute the assets according to the will. There’s one more benefit of hiring a trust attorney. They are experts in all the local estate laws in San Diego, so they can form the will adhering to all the rules and save on tax payments. 

Trusts are undoubtedly an effective way to secure your estate and distribute it to your beneficiaries after your death. But misunderstandings can lead to conflicts and contests among the beneficiaries. These tips will help avoid any disputes and proceed with your trust according to your wish.