How To Properly Disinherit Someone

Wills are typically used to give property to your loved ones. Yet, for many people, they also serve an equally important purpose: excluding people from the benefits of your estate.

There are countless reasons to disinherit someone. Perhaps you never had a meaningful relationship with certain relatives. Perhaps you had a falling out with them. Maybe you have a blended family and would like to make sure your blood relatives receive the bulk of your estate. Or maybe your reasons are purely practical — for example, perhaps you’d rather give more of your property to those in need rather than those who are already well-off.

Laying The Groundwork For Success

Whether backed by sound reasons or not, the decision to disinherit someone must be approached with caution. Those left out of the will are far more likely to challenge the validity of your wishes. To avoid costly and bitter disputes, you should make sure your decision is well-documented and clearly spelled out.

Contact our lawyers at Voelkl Law PC, for professional guidance on how to properly disinherit someone. We can walk you through your options for making your wishes effective. Drawing on decades of estate planning experience, we understand how to avoid the pitfalls that often accompany this delicate issue.

Exploring All Options

Sometimes, outright disinheritance may not be the best strategy for accomplishing your goals. Perhaps it makes more sense to leave certain heirs a small, token inheritance, which will discourage them from challenging the will. If you want to leave property to someone only on certain conditions — for example, only if he or she completes college — you will have more flexibility outlining this decision in a trust rather than a will. Our attorneys can help you determine the right strategy for your situation.

We invite you to learn more during an initial consultation. Call our office in Williamsville, New York, at 716-276-0803 to get started.