Few things are more impactful in our lives than the death of a loved one. Losing a partner, child, parent, or sibling is difficult, and it touches us so personally that it may not only disrupt our lives but also our relationships with those who are sharing the grief.
Parents mold and guide our lives in many ways, some of which are not evident until they are gone. Often parents are the glue that holds their children together and ensures harmony among the different branches of their family.
When a parent dies and there is animosity between siblings, it is common for those relationships to strain further as a result of their own grief about the loss of their parent, and the absence of the glue that previously added some support. This strain can take many forms, such as hostile phone calls or avoidance (silent treatment), but when there is ambiguity about what the deceased parent wanted to be done after they died, that can be a breaking point for many sibling relationships.
Parents can have very different relationships with their children, even in small families, so one sibling may not know about plans or wishes that the parent told another sibling. And remember, not all parties will be honorable actors. The ability to take control of assets or benefit after the death of a parent is a perfect opportunity for some folks, as despicable as that sounds.
The best way to prevent squabbles, hurt feelings, and animosity between siblings is for a parent to create an effective estate plan. An estate plan will make the parent’s wishes clear to everyone and ensure no one is able to take advantage of other family members. The parent can designate the best person to serve as their executor or trustee and distribute their property in clear terms for all to see.
Call Tresp law APC today to set up a consultation with one of our Estate Planning Attorneys to discuss how we can best structure your Estate plan and put your mind at ease.
