Will Contests

Our lawyers are proactive in their approach to will contests. We take great pains to avoid them by preparing wills correctly and anticipating challenges that might arise. If we learn about circumstances within the family that suggest that a will contest might develop, we devise strategies to avoid this expensive and difficult type of litigation.

At Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP we anticipate litigation and try to avoid it. We will go so far as to videotape the will or trust execution. We have had medical exams conducted on the day the will or trust was executed. Both of these strategies have been successful in eliminating challenges to the validity of a will based on diminished mental capacity or undue influence. To learn about our pre-litigation planning for trusts and estates, contact our Boston law firm.

Planning ahead is the best way to avoid will contests. When one occurs, we will use our years of experience to help resolve the matter promptly.

Although we have had some success with pre-litigation planning, we cannot draft every will in eastern Massachusetts. Consequently, we have been involved in many will contests on behalf of both heirs and executor. We handle matters such as:

• Contesting the appointment of an executor
• Questioning the testamentary capacity of the testator
• Collecting evidence that speaks to testamentary capacity, such as gathering medical information and conducting interviews of witnesses to the will’s execution
• Filing or responding to petitions within the proper time limits
• Requesting filing extensions pending discovery
• Contesting the will because of fraud or forgery

We try to resolve will contests as quickly as possible so that the estate can be administered and heirs can receive their inheritance. However, some of these cases have been complex and have continued for months or even years. Our law firm has been helping people in eastern Massachusetts with estate-related litigation since 1935. Investing time in complex cases does not worry us.

We use specialized investigators when necessary to document the capacity of the deceased or testify to the testator’s intent. We put our resources and experience to work for our clients. Whether that client is an heir or an executor, we strive to provide effective and skilled advocacy.

To learn more about our experience in will contests, contact us at Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP.