-- An estate planning attorney acting as a first line of defense against potential fraud can be pivotal in ensuring that an estate plan remains safe and free of fraud attempts, disclosed Bobby Sawyer of Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, PLLC.
For more information, please visit https://www.jandspllc.com
Fraud and forgery are two of the most common concepts that attorneys have to deal with when having to handle potential changes to estate plans from a number of interested parties, new spouses, and even children from previous relationships.
The Co-Founder of Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, PLLC, Bobby Sawyer, said: ‘’To ensure a legacy remains intact, an experienced estate planning attorney can help look for warning signs and take measures to combat, identify, and, ultimately, prevent fraud.’’
Having an estate planning attorney onboard can ensure any deception or unlawful schemes are quickly detected and any manipulative moves are countered.
Some frauds that can be experienced include fraudsters forging or altering documents, including wills, trusts, or powers of attorney, to move assets or benefits into their name or individuals offering services such as estate planning or seek to revise documents at exorbitant rates.
He said that unduly influencing an individual who is of advanced age or dependency and seeks to control their estate through overt pressure or manipulation is another type of fraud.
Other examples can be scam investment vehicles in which the fraudsters seek estate owners to invest their assets with false promises of significant gains, or where fraudsters steal the identity of an estate owner to gain access to their financial accounts, assets, or personal information.
Scammers may also seek to claim ownership or rights to an estate owner's property, while fraudulent charities could deceive estate owners into naming them as beneficiaries.
‘’If a family is approached, they should seek to verify any credentials, ensure individuals or firms are legitimate, licensed, and well-documented, and research their reputations online’’, Sawyer advised.
Relatives should not shy away from poring over documents, such as wills, to ensure they are correct. They should take a closer look at redrafts of wills or extensions that may change the direction of assets in subtle ways.
If they are unclear, they should seek the counsel of an estate planning attorney, mainly if they are unsure about poorly written documents or unclear clauses that have been inserted.
Families should also seek advice from estate planning attorneys if they suspect someone is trying to isolate a family member through high-pressure tactics to change their estate against their will.
He said if in doubt about any awkward or dubious practices, then a family should seek a second opinion as a fresh overview can often help verify the legitimacy of an estate plan and identify potential issues.
‘’One of the best ways to combat fraud is to regularly review estate plans with an estate planning attorney to ensure everything is in order and updated to mirror changing family scenarios and times. By doing so, families can minimize the potential for fraudsters to steal from relatives,’’ Sawyer concluded.
Source: http://RecommendedExperts.biz
Contact Info:
Name: Bobby Sawyer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, PLLC
Address: 3401 Mallory Lane, Suite 200, Franklin TN 37067
Website: https://www.jandspllc.com/
Release ID: 89159047
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