Mediation is always an option over litigation -- as long as both parties are willing to sit at the table. When a probate dispute arises after the death of a family member, it's often a good thing to consider mediation before heading to court.
The difficult aspects of probate mediation
Spotting a potential inheritance dispute: 5 reasons they happen
How do you know if your heirs will fight over your will or not?
How do you keep your heirs from contesting your will?
Nobody likes to think that their heirs will go at each other tooth and nail after the will is read -- but it happens. Sometimes, there are simmering resentments between family members that come to the surface after a death. Other times, someone just really believes that the deceased was mislead or his or her will was essentially corrupted by one person's undue influence.
Stepmothers and stepchildren drive many estate fights
Stepmothers have always had a bad image in popular mythology. Snow White certainly had trouble with hers. Hansel and Gretal didn't fare much better.
Legal woes surround serial killer's estate
Most people who die behind bars after decades of incarceration have little to bequeath anybody.