When informal promises are made within families, they can shape lives and long-term decisions. But when those promises are broken or ignored, and formal legal arrangements are lacking, the result can be emotional, complex and financially devastating.

When a loved one passes away, going through the process of administering their estate will always be emotional and complex. But when the original will cannot be found, the situation becomes even more difficult - raising questions about the deceased’s true intentions and creating uncertainty for those left behind.

For couples dealing with their relationship breakdown during separation and divorce, resolving disputes over how finances will be distributed and any children’s living arrangements will cause additional stress. 

After talking to clients about the planning of their affairs, we at Walker Foster discovered a common misunderstanding over the difference between an executor and an attorney.