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Wills

Drafting or Contesting a Will in Oklahoma

Clear drafting and precise execution of your final wishes

Every person, regardless of net worth, should have a will. If you pass on without a will in Oklahoma, the state distributes your assets according to Oklahoma’s inheritance laws, without deference to your wishes. A will gives you a final opportunity to express your love and affection to the special people in your life and to advance any charitable causes that matter to you.

At Denker & Zuhdi, PLLC, our estate planning attorneys work closely with you to craft a will that expresses your intentions in clear, unambiguous language. We draw on our experience litigating will contests on behalf of estates and beneficiaries to make sure your will is error-free, so you can rest assured that your intentions will be carried out. We understand that contemplating succession issues can be difficult, and we handle each discussion with the utmost sensitivity.

Representation for beneficiaries and estates in Oklahoma will contests

After the testator passes, the will goes before the probate court for approval. The court can uphold the will or invalidate it in whole or in part. Complete invalidation of the will means the estate must pass by Oklahoma’s intestacy laws, as if there never had been a will. When the court allows the will to be executed in whole or in part, any residue of the estate that remains gets distributed according to Oklahoma’s inheritance laws.

Many heirs who find they’d do better under intestacy than they would under the terms of the will may try to invalidate the will (and other elements of the estate plan) simply because they are bitterly disappointed. However, the law requires that anyone challenging a will must have legal grounds for doing so. Those grounds can specify one or more of the following:

  • The testator who executed the will lacked mental capacity at the time.
  • Someone exercised undue influence or coercion to impose certain terms on the testator.
  • The will is fraudulent or is the product of fraud.
  • The will before the court is not the testator’s current will.
  • The will is ambiguous in its language and can be interpreted different ways.

In certain circumstances, you may find it necessary to contest the validity of a loved one’s will or, as a personal representative of the estate, you may have to defend a will against a challenge. When a dispute arises, our Oklahoma City wills lawyers work with you to understand your situation, evaluate your options, and pursue the most efficient means possible to resolve your loved one’s estate properly.

Resolving will disputes and protecting your rights

In the event of a will contest, the heirs and beneficiaries may be able to resolve their dispute through informal means such as mediation, or it may be necessary for them to resort to the Oklahoma courts. In either case, and for spouses and children seeking to enforce their statutory rights, the experienced Oklahoma City attorneys at Denker & Zuhdi, PLLC are available to help you protect your rights and preserve your loved one’s final wishes.

Speak with one of our experienced Oklahoma City lawyers now

Dealing with the probate and estate administration process can be trying and uncomfortable, especially in the wake of the loss of a loved one. Our experienced and compassionate Oklahoma City wills lawyers at Denker & Zuhdi, PLLC understand what you are going through. We take the time to keep you fully informed and guide you through each step of the process. To schedule a consultation, call us today at 405-946-5533 or contact our Oklahoma City office online.

Testimonials
  • "They always provided reliable and thorough work, and consistently provides a quick response. As a solid business partner, the firm handles our legal needs for corporate contracts and real estate acquisitions, but also handles family matters and is invested in my business as more than just another customer. I know that any time I have legal needs, I can rely on the firm to provide efficient, outstanding results." - –David Ross Chairman and CEO TriCorps Security

  • "Our CPA Firm has a long relationship with Denker & Zuhdi. We frequently use the Firm for our legal needs as well as to refer our Clients. We want our Client base to have the best Legal representation possible. The firm has always provided very Professional Services to ourselves and our Clients and we have the utmost confidence in the services provided." - –Hamilton & Associates, CPA Carl Hamilton Anna Hamilton

  • "Having been one of the largest buyers of foreclosures in the state for nearly 30 years, it is the nature of our business to be involved in litigation. We chose Rick Denker as our attorney by using the best method possible. He represented the other side. During this litigation, we saw an intelligent, hard-working man who had common sense. He attempted to resolve the case in the best interest of his client quickly instead of just running up the legal bills. During the past several years that he has represented us, we have been very pleased with his success and would highly recommend him." - –Tana Parks, owner of Ted Parks LLC and Winfield Investments LLC, Tulsa, Ok

  • "“I believe Rick takes a common sense approach to complex issues and looks for the best resolution in a timely fashion. Rick is very approachable and is easily accessible. Rick has been around in Oklahoma City awhile and knows who to talk to and where to go to take care of your legal issues.”" - –Doug Summers President, Paleo, Inc

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