ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Estate & Inheritance Disputes | Haskell & Dyer
Grief and Money Can Pull a Family Apart. We Work to Put the Estate Back on Track.
When heirs disagree or a will is challenged, things can turn painful fast. We work to resolve estate and inheritance disputes fairly, and to protect what the estate was always meant to do.
If a Dispute Is Brewing
The sooner you get advice, the more options stay open.
Will contests and inheritance fights often run on tight deadlines, and positions harden quickly once people dig in. Getting counsel early keeps resolution on the table and protects your rights before a window closes. Reach out and we will tell you honestly where you stand.
What These Fights Are About
Two Kinds of Estate Disputes
Most estate conflicts fall into two camps: a challenge to the will itself, or a disagreement over how the estate is being handled. The path differs for each.
Challenging the Will
Will Contests
A will can be challenged on grounds like undue influence, lack of capacity, or improper signing. These are serious claims with real deadlines, and whether you are bringing one or defending against it, the early moves matter.
How It's Being Run
Disputes Among Heirs
Even with a valid will, heirs clash over distributions, an executor's conduct, missing assets, or how the estate is managed. These disputes can often be resolved without a full court fight when handled early and fairly.
What We Handle
Common Estate & Inheritance Disputes
From a contested will to a dispute over an executor's conduct, we handle both sides of these matters.
Will contests and caveats
Undue influence claims
Lack of capacity claims
Improper execution
Breach of fiduciary duty
Executor misconduct
Disputes over distributions
Missing or misused assets
What's at Stake
More Than Money
Estate disputes carry financial stakes, but also the relationships and the wishes the estate was meant to honor.
Inheritance
What you or the heirs are entitled to
The Will
Whether the document stands or falls
Family
Relationships strained by the conflict
Time
Deadlines that can foreclose a claim
How We Handle Estate Disputes
We aim for the fair, efficient resolution first, and we are fully prepared to litigate when that is what protecting your interests requires.
We Assess It Honestly
We tell you straight whether a claim or defense is strong, what it is worth, and what the realistic paths to resolution are.
We Try to Resolve It
Mediation and negotiation often settle these disputes faster, cheaper, and with less damage to the family than a court battle.
We Litigate When Needed
When a fair resolution is not possible, we are prepared to take the matter through the Orphans' Court and protect your rights.
We Watch the Deadlines
Will contests and related claims have time limits. We move quickly so a window never closes on your rights.
Common Questions
Estate & Inheritance Disputes, Answered
Can I challenge a will I think is wrong?
You can, if you have standing and valid grounds, like undue influence, lack of capacity, or improper signing. Disagreeing with how someone left their property is not enough on its own, there has to be a legal basis. We assess honestly whether you have one, explain what it would take, and act quickly because these challenges run on deadlines.
What are the grounds for contesting a will?
The common ones are undue influence (someone improperly pressured the person), lack of testamentary capacity (the person did not understand what they were doing), fraud, and improper execution (the will was not signed or witnessed correctly). Each requires real evidence. We evaluate the facts and tell you which grounds, if any, realistically apply.
I think the executor is mishandling the estate. What can I do?
A personal representative owes fiduciary duties to the estate and the heirs, and if they are self-dealing, hiding assets, missing deadlines, or treating heirs unfairly, you have options. We can demand an accounting, raise the issue with the Orphans' Court, and seek the executor's removal if warranted. Documenting your concerns early strengthens the position.
Do these disputes have to go to court?
Not always. Many estate and inheritance disputes resolve through mediation or negotiation, which is usually faster, less expensive, and far less damaging to family relationships than litigation. We pursue that route first where it makes sense, while staying fully prepared to go to court if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Is there a deadline to challenge a will or raise a dispute?
Yes. Will contests and many estate claims have strict time limits, and missing one can permanently foreclose your rights. The deadlines depend on the type of claim and where the estate is in the process, which is why it is important to get advice quickly rather than waiting. We move fast to protect any window that is still open.
Caught in an Estate Dispute? Let's Find the Fair Way Through.
Whether a will is being challenged or heirs cannot agree, the right move early protects both your inheritance and, where possible, your family. Reach out and we will give you an honest read on where you stand. The consultation is a conversation, not a commitment.
Prefer to talk now? Reach us at 301-627-5844
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC
Fax: 301-627-5848
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