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What is the emotional toll of estate litigation?

On Behalf of | Jul 1, 2022 | Litigation

One of the goals of estate planning is to leave behind things that can assist the family in the future. Yet, sometimes the lasting legacy of an estate ends up being a traumatic family feud.

If you feel a loved one’s estate plan is unfair, you may decide to go to court to rectify the situation. It is best to get legal help to make sure you are able to do this before mentioning your plans to others. The law only allows specific people to challenge a will – and only in specific circumstances – so there is little point in upsetting others if you cannot go ahead.

You also need to accept that estate litigation is likely to have a significant emotional toll on you and others. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Not everyone will like you taking legal action

If you challenge a person’s will, you will be up against someone else, or perhaps several others. Some of them might stand to lose part of their current inheritance if you win. Others might not be directly involved, but feel you are being disrespectful to the deceased by mounting a challenge.

Disputes cause stress for everyone involved

Most disputes affect us long after the event, perhaps more so when they are with people we care about, which is often the case in will disputes. Research even suggests arguments can lead to a higher risk of heart disease.

Such personal contests can lead to feelings of betrayal by those you trusted most. They can leave you feeling isolated if family members stop talking to you. What’s more, however, justified you believe your decision to litigate it, you may still have lingering feelings of guilt about whether you were right to mount a challenge at all.

You may be unable to sleep due to the financial worries

It is natural to worry when you risk losing property or assets that you believed you were due. Sometimes this can get to the point where you can no longer sleep at night, harming your health further. 

Call us now if you need to take legal action over a loved one’s estate. Let our experienced team take some of the emotional stress off your shoulders during this difficult time.