The Barefoot Investor weighed in after a woman expressed concern about losing her share of her mother’s $6 million will because her half-brother is contesting it.
Brenda explained that her stepfather passed away in 2022 and left his entire $6.5 million estate to his biological son and nothing to her or her sister.
She revealed that her mother died 10 years after divorcing her stepfather and split her $6 million will between Brenda and her sister.
However, despite already having $6.5 million under his belt, the recent death of Brenda’s mother has made the half-brother question his place in her will.
‘We expected this, of course. However, our mother’s lawyer said her updated will was “bulletproof,” Brenda wrote to Pape.
‘However, now our trust attorney says our brother may delay him in court for years and we may have to settle for a million dollars. Any advice?
Mr. Pape’s advice to Brenda was simple: get a lawyer.
“The truth is that no will is bulletproof; nothing can prevent an ‘eligible’ person from challenging a will,” he said.
The Barefoot Investor weighed in after a woman who missed out on her stepfather’s $6.5 million estate expressed concern that she would lose her share of her mother’s $6 million will.
“However, that’s the million-dollar question: Does your half-brother even have the standing to challenge your mother’s will?”
Pape explained that most states do not consider stepchildren “eligible” to receive their stepparent’s estate unless they were financially dependent on them at the time of their death.
“I spoke to my lawyer, Dr. Brett Davies, and he said I should speak to a trial lawyer to see if the greedy old man is just lying or if he really has a leg to stand on in challenging his mother’s estate.” , said.
“If your case is weak, you could be left with nothing, and you could even have to pay your legal costs and those of the estate!”
Pape urged Brenda and others in her position to quickly seek expert legal advice and “tread carefully.”
‘In disputes over deceased estates, the only guaranteed winners are lawyers – something Brett didn’t mention!’ said.