When you are helping your elderly parents craft a will, the amount of inheritance you get may be a lot larger than what your siblings or other beneficiaries get. If someone claims that you are guilty of undue influence over your parents, you could wonder what that means and how to prove it is not true.
In order to prove you did not have this influence over their decision, you can make sure to take several steps to protect yourself.
Ask for a letter of intent
According to the AARP, a letter of intent can help anyone reading a will understand why the creator of the will gave the beneficiaries the amount they did. Your parents may want to reward you for helping take care of them in their old age or giving up your time and effort for caretaking.
No matter what the reason is, being able to provide a letter of intent can clear up misunderstandings about the difference in inheritances.
Encourage bonds with other people
When your parents mainly rely on you for social connectivity, other people may assume you are isolating them or pressuring them to change their will. To combat this worry, encourage them to maintain bonds with friends and also talk privately with their legal team whenever they meet.
Staying polite and friendly with other beneficiaries can also help if someone questions the choice your parents made to leave you a certain amount in the will. Being vigilant about protecting yourself from accusations of undue influence can help you and allow you to feel less stressed.