Will Contests Lawyers

Wills are often used by individuals to pass along physical and financial assets to family members and loved ones upon their passing.  While these instruments are usually executed properly and represent the deceased’s desires, it is fairly common for contests, disputes, and arguments to arise.  These are typically the result of one or more beneficiaries believing they have been dealt with unfairly in the will or that some other improper or illegal activity has occurred.

Will contests arise for a number of reasons. Sometimes, a contest involves one party claiming the person who made the will was incompetent, coerced, or improperly influenced in some way.  Sometimes it involves allegations of forgery.  In the state of Missouri, there is a time limit to contest a will.  That time period can be very short, and in some situations may be as short as six months.  Every situation is different and you should contact Taylor Siemens Elliott Creedy & Lyle P.C. as soon as possible to discuss your claim.

If a will contest is filed, all persons with potential interests in the estate are typically joined.  Depending on the issues involved, a jury may hear evidence and make decisions concerning the allegations of undue influence, lack of capacity, forgery, or other allegations of misconduct.  A judge or jury may also be asked to decide whether the will was properly executed in accordance with the law.  If a will contest is successful, the estate may be distributed as if there had been no will at all, which means it may be distributed equally to all beneficiaries, or a prior will may be used to distribute the estate.

Will contests can be highly emotional situations that require careful attention to detail.  If you believe you are a beneficiary of a will that was improperly created, it is important to act fast.

At Taylor Siemens Elliott Creedy & Lyle P.C., we have considerable experience dealing with will contests.  If you need legal assistance filing or defending a contest, contact us today to find out how to proceed.  When you choose one of our knowledgeable lawyers, you are selecting someone with decades of experience, willingness to tackle difficult cases, and personal integrity.  At Taylor Siemens Elliott Creedy & Lyle P.C., we care about our clients as individuals and want to take the time to get to know them.  You are more than a case to us, and we will do whatever it takes to help you recover or defend what is rightfully yours.

We take time to prepare each of our cases for trial with diligence and careful attention to detail.  We aren’t satisfied until we are confident our clients will receive the verdict they deserve.