Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
Table of Contents:
- Challenges to the Validity of a Will
- Disputes Involving Trusts & Fiduciaries
- Conflicts Over Beneficiary Forms & Non-Probate Assets
- Real Estate Disputes Among Co-Inherited Owners
- Conflicts Involving Spousal Rights
- Questions About Lifetime Transfers & Financial Exploitation
- Disputes Involving Personal Belongings & Sentimental Property
- How Families Can Reduce the Risk of Disputes
Estate disputes take many forms, but most arise from a combination of legal uncertainty, family expectations, and decisions made near the end of a person’s life. Whether an estate is administered in Maryland, Washington, D.C., or another state, disagreements often emerge when documents are unclear, responsibilities are not well defined, or communication breaks down among the people involved.
While every case turns on its own facts, certain themes appear across many disputes. Questions about intent, asset management, and fiduciary judgment often play a central role, and even small misunderstandings can grow into larger conflicts once the probate process begins. Gaining a clearer sense of how these disputes typically develop can help families spot potential issues early and determine when legal advice may be necessary.
Challenges to the Validity of a Will
Contesting a will remains one of the most well-known estate disputes. These matters usually center on whether the document accurately reflects what the person intended at the time it was signed.
The most common concerns involve whether the person had the mental capacity to make decisions, whether someone exerted pressure or influence during the drafting process, or whether the will met the formal requirements for execution. These questions become especially significant when a will was updated late in life, prepared without professional guidance, or differs sharply from previous versions.
Maryland and D.C. follow the same general principles used across the country: the person must have understood the nature of their assets, the people who would ordinarily inherit from them, and the effect of signing the document. When those points are in dispute, courts often review medical records, witness testimony, and the circumstances leading up to the signing.
Disputes Involving Trusts & Fiduciaries
As more families rely on trusts to manage assets or streamline the probate process, disagreements increasingly shift toward how those trusts are handled. Trustees and personal representatives have legal duties to act prudently, provide information to beneficiaries, and avoid conflicts of interest. Tension often arises when beneficiaries believe those duties have not been met.
Concerns may include delays in distributing property, lack of transparency about financial decisions, or transactions that appear to benefit the fiduciary more than the estate. In Maryland and D.C., beneficiaries have statutory rights to accountings and information, but many people are unaware of these rights until a problem develops.
These disputes are not unique to this region, yet they can be amplified in areas with high property values or complex asset portfolios. A mismanaged trust involving a single home in Montgomery County or Northwest D.C., for example, can place hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake, increasing the likelihood of litigation.
Conflicts Over Beneficiary Forms & Non-Probate Assets
A significant number of disputes stem from assets that do not pass under a will or trust at all. Life insurance, retirement plans, and payable-on-death accounts transfer according to beneficiary designations, and those paperwork decisions often carry more weight than any instructions found in a will.
Problems emerge when forms are out of date, incomplete, or inconsistent with the rest of the estate plan. This can lead to situations where a former spouse, distant relative, or unintended recipient inherits a substantial asset. Families are often surprised to learn that the administrator of a retirement plan or insurance policy is required to follow the beneficiary form, even if the will says something different.
This issue is especially common in Maryland and D.C. because of the region’s large population of federal employees and military retirees, whose Thrift Savings Plan accounts and federal life insurance benefits rely strictly on designation forms.
Real Estate Disputes Among Co-Inherited Owners
When several people inherit the same property, disagreements are common. One person may want to keep the home, another may want to sell, and a third may have contributed financially during the decedent’s life and expects recognition for that support.
If co-owners cannot reach an agreement, courts may become involved through a partition action. This process allows a judge to order a sale of the property and divide the proceeds. Although partition actions exist in every state, they can be particularly consequential in Maryland and D.C., where inherited homes often represent the majority of the estate’s value.
Real estate disputes frequently carry emotional weight. The home may hold memories, or one beneficiary may have lived there for years as a caregiver. Those circumstances shape expectations and make compromise more difficult.
Conflicts Involving Spousal Rights
Most states, including Maryland and D.C., have laws designed to prevent a spouse from being left with nothing. When a surviving spouse believes they were not adequately provided for, they may assert statutory rights that override parts of the will or trust.
These “elective share” claims often lead to disputes between a surviving spouse and children from a prior relationship. Determining what the spouse should receive involves reviewing the type and value of assets, some of which may fall outside the probate estate. Because Maryland and D.C. calculate the elective share differently, the same set of facts can lead to different results depending on where the decedent lived.
Spousal-share disputes tend to be among the most complex because they blend family history, financial analysis, and legal interpretation.
Questions About Lifetime Transfers & Financial Exploitation
Some disputes arise before probate even begins. When a person’s health declines, others may step in to help manage bills, property, or daily tasks. During this period, significant financial transfers may occur — sometimes appropriately, sometimes not.
Concerns include unexpected withdrawals from joint accounts, property transfers without clear documentation, or gifts made shortly before death. Heirs often question whether these transactions reflected genuine intent or whether someone took advantage of the person’s vulnerability.
Every state, including Maryland and D.C., provides legal avenues to challenge questionable transfers. Courts typically review capacity, the level of dependence between the parties, and whether the transaction benefited the helper at the expense of the estate.
Disputes Involving Personal Belongings & Sentimental Property
Not all estate disputes involve large sums of money. Arguments about jewelry, heirlooms, artwork, or family keepsakes are among the most common sources of friction. These disagreements often reflect emotional significance rather than financial value.
Problems arise when a will uses broad language that does not specify who receives particular items, or when several people believe they were verbally promised the same object. Early access to the home can also cause conflict if someone removes items before a full inventory is taken.
Although these disputes may seem minor in comparison to real estate or investment accounts, they are often the hardest to resolve because they touch long-standing family dynamics.
How Families Can Reduce the Risk of Disputes
While no estate plan can eliminate conflict entirely, several practical steps reduce the likelihood of disagreements:
- Clear, updated documents that reflect current wishes
- Accurate and current beneficiary forms
- Thoughtful selection of fiduciaries
- Organized records and communication about where documents are stored
- Professional guidance when significant assets or blended families are involved
Families in Maryland and D.C. also benefit from advice tailored to local rules, including elective-share statutes, tax thresholds, and court procedures. These regional considerations can influence how a plan functions and how disputes are resolved.
How Law Offices of Thomas Stahl Helps Resolve Estate Disputes
Estate disputes often require careful analysis, steady communication, and a clear strategy. Our firm represents heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, and trustees in a wide range of conflicts, from will challenges and fiduciary disputes to disagreements involving property, spousal rights, and beneficiary designations.
We begin by reviewing the documents, financial records, and timelines that shape the dispute. From there, we evaluate the options available under Maryland or D.C. law and advise clients on the approach that best aligns with their goals. Some matters call for negotiation or structured resolution, while others require focused litigation to protect a client’s interests.
If you are involved in an estate dispute or see signs that one may be developing, our team can help you understand your rights and determine the next steps. Reach out online or call (443) 300-9208 to schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on as legal advice. Estate disputes involve fact-specific issues that vary widely from case to case. Anyone facing a potential conflict should consult an attorney licensed in their jurisdiction. Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship with Law Offices of Thomas Stahl.