Why Did the Sons of Fred Thompson Drop End Their Will Contest?

They dropped the lawsuit almost a year after it was filed.

Family conflict is uncomfortable.

No one likes it.

Still, sometimes it seems unavoidable.

Especially when certain actions appear suspicious.

According to The Tennessean article titled “Dispute over Sen. Fred Thompson's estate ends,” this was the case with the estate of Fred Thompson.

His sons Tony and Dan Thompson took legal action due to circumstances surrounding the death of their father.

Why were they suspicious?

While their father was in hospice, he had more than $40,000 of legal work done to change beneficiaries and draft new estate planning documents.

Their requests for answers were ignored.

The result?

They filed a lawsuit against their step-mother, Jeri.

So, why did they drop the lawsuit?

The probate judge made Jeri show them the relevant documents.

After seeing the legal documents, the sons were satisfied their father was not coerced.

How can you avoid similar family conflicts regarding your estate plan?

Work with an experienced estate planning attorney and explain to your family the reasoning behind your wishes.

So, how do you find an "experienced" estate planning attorney?

First, ask around. Friends, family and other professional advisors are trustworthy sources.

Second, conduct an "organic" search on "Google" for "estate planning" near you (e.g., "Estate Planning Anytown MoKan").

Third, either way, verify! Check out the education, experience, ratings and client reviews of any attorney before you contact him or her.

How?

Two helpful online resources are just a mouse click away to assist with your due diligence:  Avvo.com and Lawyers.com.

Check any Avvo ratings, client ratings/testimonials and attorney endorsements on Avvo.com and any "peer ratings" by judges/other attorneys and any client ratings/testimonials on Lawyers.com.

In fact, I use both of these services to thoroughly vett attorneys before referring members of our "client" family for legal help in other areas of law or for matters in jurisdictions outside Kansas or Missouri.

Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When making your financial, tax and estate plans, do not go it alone. Be sure to engage competent professional counsel.

For more information about estate planning in Overland Park, KS (and throughout the rest of Kansas and Missouri), visit our estate planning website and be sure to subscribe to our complimentary estate planning e-newsletter while you are there.

Reference: The Tennessean (April 3, 2017) “Dispute over Sen. Fred Thompson's estate ends”