Caveats

If you are considering filing a Caveat, then you are contemplating a Will Contest. If you are contacting me to remove a caveat, then you are about to enter a Will Contest. Either way, you are in need of a Caveat Attorney.

A Caveat is just a minor, first step. The result is a Will Contest. A Will Contest is technically challenging, and few law firms focus in this practice. Each step affects the next. One wrong step can damage the result. Comprehending the complexities of a Will Contest requires not only litigation skills, but also a thorough understanding of probate, taxes, and estate planning. These skills take years to master. An attorney who only dabbles in Will Challenges cannot hope to experience the volume of work necessary. You are well advised to consult with an Estate Litigation firm with a long history of Will Contests.

What is a Caveat?

Before the Will’s probate, interested parties may file a Caveat; the first step of a Will Contest. If correctly filed, a Caveat prevents the Surrogate or Register of Wills from probating a presented Will until notifying the Caveator. Once told, the Caveator may review the document and decide to pursue the Will Contest. If the decision is to continue, a Formal Caveat must present and plead terms the same as a Petition for a Will Contest. If incorrectly done, you may waive potential challenges. Though you might be tempted to file a Caveat with the advice of an experienced Estate Litigation Attorney, your decision might result in the cases’ dismissal. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. If you are considering a Will Contest, you are considering serious, expensive litigation that will likely take more than a year. Don’t ruin your chance at success by sloppy work in the beginning.

To File a Caveat, or Not to File, That is the Question.

Filing a Caveat may or may not be to your advantage. The primary benefit being that it is possible for the Surrogate or Register of Wills to appoint a temporary, neutral party to serve as Administrator during the challenge. A neutral Administrator prevents the named Executor from gaining control over the Probate Assets. But, a disadvantage is that the Surrogate or Register may hold what amounts to a mini-trial, which can be costly. Because the results are appealable, the hearing is not binding, but the cost is real.

If considering a Caveat, it is best to consult with our Estate Litigation Attorneys. They will review the unique facts of your case and help you understand your options.

Removing a Caveat; How to Remove a Caveat?

If you are an Executor trying to file a Will, only to discover a Caveat, contact us immediately. As described above, a Caveat is the first step in a Will Contest. You quickly need an Estate Litigation Attorney’s advice. Preventing you from serving as Executor is the Caveator’s goal. Careful, reasoned response to a Caveat is warranted. Further, don’t miss the chance of Removing a Caveat. We can help.

Common Caveat Questions.

Need a Caveat Lawyer? We Can Help!

If you have any questions about caveats or any other estate law topics, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.

For more than two decades Klenk Law has focused only on Estate Law. We’ve seen it all, and this experience allows us to explain complex Estate Law and Probate clearly and concisely. If you are involved in Probate Litigation, our experienced Probate Litigation Attorneys will make it easy for you to understand and provide top notch representation so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Why Choose Us

Our Experience Saves You Money.

Many firms assign Estate Litigation cases to their young lawyers or a general litigator. This is not cost effective. Being that Estate Litigation is what we do, our experience allows us to focus quickly on the issues that matter. By being focused, we arrive at the most cost efficient plan. We find the solution to your problem while the others are just warming up.

We Have a Deep Bench, Let’s Put it to Work!

While some firms litigate, few of them have whole departments focused exclusively on estate matters. At Klenk Law, our Probate Litigators have the luxury of partnering with other lawyers from our Probate or Estate Planning Departments. The depth of experience we can focus on your case is truly impressive. Whatever issue you are facing, our team has the answer.

Offense or Defense, We Have You Covered.

Our breadth of experience allows us to successfully represent beneficiaries taking on lazy trustees and executors. In the same way, we are equally skilled at protecting trustees and executors from ungrateful beneficiaries. Whether you are a fiduciary, agent, guardian or beneficiary, our skills will best represent your case.