Better business: How to help clients avoid expensive will litigation

WILLS

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John Toth, partner at Ashfords LLP, offers his tips on how to help clients and their families avoid expensive will litigation.

There are three main areas where disputes arise over wills. The first is over the formalities needed to make or execute a valid will; the second is when a will fails to include a close family member the law says it should provide for; and the third involves families looking to challenge the will of a relative that they regard as unfair. The latter is becoming more and more common. For a will to be valid it must be in writing and signed by the person making it (the testator) in the presence of two witnesses who must be there together when the testator signs. These seem like straightfor...

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