Palm Beach Family Fights Over Ashes

Palm Beach probate has seen probate disputes about money and big Palm Beach Trusts, for sure.  And often, heirs don’t agree on who inherits the personal property like the stamp collection or artwork, jewelry or family photos.  But it’s sad when families are fighting in Palm Beach County, Florida over the remains of one who has passed away.  Ashes. Burial instructions.  A Palm Beach County case right now is on appeal dealing with who controls the ashes of a young man who passed away in 2010.  Parents fighting in court over a son’s ashes.
Rather than go into depth about the personal facts in this case, I’ve cut and pasted the link below which will let you read the entire story from the Palm Beach Post online, www.pbpost.com.

To avoid legal probate disputes or probate lawsuits over who controls one’s body when one passes away, consider this:

• You can tell us what to do with your body or ashes in your Florida will
• You can appoint someone, and give them legal authority under the Florida Probate Code, to make decisions about your body when you are gone (ashes? cremation ? burial ? funeral ? organ donation?)
• You can minimize legal fights in a Palm Beach Probate by writing down your intent  (in this recent Palm Beach appeals case, the young man who passed away evidently did not have a will)

It’s Difficult to Make Decisions When Grieving.  Losing a loved one is difficult enough.  Disagreeing in Palm Beach Probate Court with family members over what to do with the loved one is stressful, costly and unpleasant.   Consider taking the time now to update your Florida will so that your Palm Beach estate goes smoothly when you are gone and so that your wishes are followed. See a Palm Beach estate planning attorney to address this issue head on now, so you will try to minimize confusion and angst later, in the probate process.

Here’s the link to the story: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/parents-fight-over-ashes-of-victim-in-goodman-cras/nd756/