When his grandmother passed away, a grandson came to my office holding her Trust.
He shared how his brother—who had struggled for years—had convinced their grandmother to leave everything to him. After entering recovery, the brother began urging her to change the Trust again and make things right with the rest of the family.
But she never got the chance.
Then tragedy struck: the brother passed away before their grandmother. Only afterward did the family discover he had a child—someone he financially supported, but had never met. Under the current Trust, that child now inherits everything.
The grandson asked if there was any way to contest it. Everyone who knew the grandmother said she had intended to change the Trust, to include her living grandson and great-grandchildren. But when I asked about witnesses, he said all had passed—except him.
This Isn’t a Rare Story—And That’s the Problem
Unfortunately, I’ve seen this more times than I can count. A parent or grandparent makes a well-intentioned change to their Trust, then realizes it wasn’t what they really wanted. But instead of updating it again, they wait. And wait. Until it’s too late.
When wishes are left unspoken—or unwritten—they can’t be honored. And court battles can be long, expensive, and painful.
If It’s Not In Writing, It Doesn’t Count
If your Trust doesn’t reflect your current wishes, don’t put off fixing it. Updating your estate plan today can save your family years of conflict tomorrow.
Give me a call. Let’s make sure your legacy lands where you want it to.
