What should you do when there is trouble brewing in your family regarding an estate matter in Georgia? Should you stay quiet and hope the dispute never erupts? Should you head off a dispute by telling everyone else how things ought to be done. The New York Times recently published a Q&A with Sheila Heen (“Negotiating Conflicts, Part 5: A Tug of Wills“). Ms. Heen is a negotiations and communications expert and faculty member at Harvard Law School, that emphasizes one major theme: communicate your concerns before it is too late.
Estates are uncomfortable topics. To most, asking a parent about his estate probably seems cynical and self-serving. Even close siblings often have a difficult time discussing with each other what to do about their parents’ estates (who should do what, who should get what, etc.). However, failing to address valid concerns sooner may cost the family time and money fighting over those concerns later.
There are a variety of smart, healthy ways to break the ice on such a difficult topic. If you are concerned about how things will play out in your family, don’t be afraid to let someone know. If you are too uncomfortable to say something yourself, it might be wise to find someone who can speak on your behalf, someone with experience is estates and their affect on family relations. Contact me by email or by calling me at 404-467-8611 to find out if your concern is something we can help you with. Kasey Libby is a Georgia probate attorney, an expert in estate planning and estate disputes, and a registered mediator with the State of Georgia. He has helped resolve disputed estates in greater Atlanta and all over Georgia, often through settlement, and he has the experience to help your family settle your dispute before it begins.
