Will Contests Attorney in Virginia

Handling Cases of Undue INfluence & Lack of Testamentary Capacity - Call (540) 318-7360

At Obenshain Law Group, we handle will contests. We are trial lawyers who help individuals and families in disputes over the validity of wills and trusts. If you are involved in a will contest – whether you are challenging a will or defending a challenge to a loved one’s will, we may be able to help.

Why Call Our Will Contest Lawyers?

• 39+ Years Of Experience
• Successfully Handled 150+ Trials
• Selected for Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers®
• Available 24/7 to Help You

Call (540) 318-7360 to speak to a will contests attorney today.

Common Reasons for Contesting a Will

Contesting a will is primarily about proving that a will should not be enforced exactly as it is written, or that an earlier (or later) will should actually be enforced instead for some reason. These are the two most common grounds for contesting a will or trust:

1) Lack of Testamentary Capacity

Your loved one’s mental state at the time their will was formed is very important to its validity in court. To execute a valid will, the one must have testamentary capacity. If it can be shown that someone lacked testamentary capacity at the time they signed a will, a court can refuse to enforce the will, or set it aside. There are a few things that must be true in Virginia in order for anyone to have the testamentary capacity to sign a valid last will and testament.

Requirements for a valid will:

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must understand the nature of the act they are doing – they have to understand what they are signing
• Must know the names and their relationship to “the natural objects of the testator’s bounty.” This means that they must know the family members and friends they would want to provide for in their will.
• Must know the nature, condition and extent of their property
• Must understand the will and its provisions

Old age, physical frailty, illness. failing memory, or even drug or alcohol addiction are not always enough to effectively contest a will. All of these are important factors and may be evidence of incapacity. There may be a strong basis for a will contest on the basis of lack of testamentary capacity if any of the following were true at the point a family member or loved one formed their will.

The testamentary capacity of a family member can be questioned if:

• They were under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or powerful medication.
• They had a documented mental illness that would have interfered with their ability to meet the above requirements.
• They experienced a serious brain injury, such as a contusion or concussion.
• They had Alzheimer’s or dementia.

2) Undue Influence

If mental capacity was not an issue, a will may still be invalid on the basis of undue influence. This occurs when a third party uses their influence over someone’s will in a way that benefits themselves. Claims of undue influence may arise in instances where a child prepares a parent’s will and uses that influence to leave themselves a more substantial inheritance than they might otherwise have. Undue influence is often difficult to prove, but in Virginia, a presumption of undue influence may arise under certain circumstances.

These circumstances can include:

• There was a confidential or fiduciary relationship – like power of attorney – between the testator and the person you believe has exerted undue influence;
• The testator had a compromised or feeble mental condition (not necessarily so feeble as to be incompetent);
• The person believed to have exerted undue influence was active in procuring the will or causing it to be prepared; and
• There was a prior will that showed that the testator had a different plan or intention as to the disposition of his or her assets.

Regardless of the reasons for contesting a will, we can help you sort it out. Schedule your free, confidential consultation with a will contests lawyer today: (540) 318-7360.