Can My Son Sue His Siblings if I Leave Him Out of My Will?

Full question:

I have three grown children. I am leaving my son, $10,000 and a $50,000 life insurance policy. My will states, everything will go to my three children. My two girls will receive almost all of my estate. Should I change my will and state. I do not intend to leave anything to my son, (LLB). his name. Or can he sue my girls after my death if I leave him in my will.

Answer:

You have the right under law to not leave anything to a step child or child, unless you have agreed in some manner (like a written contract) to leave them something. It is best to specifically say in the will that the omission is intentional and to specifically identify the child by name stating that you wish to leave him/her nothing or a nominal sum like a dollar to prevent a future claim that the omission was a mistake.

It is possible for an heir to claim the will was invalid due to lack of mental competency of the deceased spouse, undue influence, or that the agreement was not executed in accordance with state law. A non-contestability clause is a will provision, under which anyone who challenges the will will be disinherited. In some cases, a signing of a will is videotaped and questions are aasked of the testator to prove competency at the time of signing.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

The best way to leave your estate to your children is to create a clear and legally binding will. Specify how you want your assets divided among them. If you wish to disinherit one child, explicitly state this in your will to avoid confusion. You may also consider setting up a trust to manage the distribution of your estate, which can provide additional control and protection over your assets.