Court Bonds

Challenges to a Will: What You Need to Know

07.23.2019

Just because someone dies with a last will and testament does not mean that it is the will that will go into effect. Wills can be challenged. But who can challenge them? And why are they typically challenged?

Will validity can generally be challenged by estate beneficiaries, heirs of deceased people who were not named as beneficiaries in the will, and those named as beneficiaries in prior versions of the will. But why would they challenge the will? Usually wills are challenged on the basis of an improper signing, improper influence over a will gaining a beneficiary an improper benefit, the person who made the will being incapable of making the will, and the terms of the will being ambiguous.

Once a will’s validity is decided upon, estate executors often need to purchase estate surety bonds to protect the estate and its beneficiaries in accordance with applicable state law.

So how do you purchase a court required estate surety bond?

Colonial Surety offers the direct and digital way to obtain estate bonds, also known as executor bonds. We are the insurance company — which means no agent, no broker, and no middleman. We make it easy to obtain your bond instantly. The steps are easy — get a quote online, fill out your information, satisfy underwriting requirements, and enter your payment method. Print or e-file your bond from your office. It’s that simple!