The death of a loved one is an emotional and painful time for a
family. Even an expected loss can be very difficult to bear. It is
in this difficult context that the family must sort through the
will and intentions of the departed. Even in a healthy family the
process of dividing the legacy can trigger bitterness, anger,
jealousy and resentment, as arguments over the inheritance erupt
âÆ' or are suppressed.
These concerns highlight the fact that planning properly for
one's legacy can significantly reduce family feuds and
flareups, even if contemplating one's own death can be
difficult.
Common problems
An individual's intention may seem simple - for example, to
divide the assets in their estate equally among their children.
However, closer inspection can reveal an array of problems and
issues to sift through. It can quickly become evident that
"equal" does not always mean "fair." To
distribute an asset fairly one must look to more than the value of
the property.
