Creating a will is one part of the estate planning process and is often considered the most important part of getting your affairs in order. When someone dies with a will in place, it is assumed that the estate plan documents will be able to settle any disputes that arise. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes a person may leave someone out of their will due to personal reasons, but once that person passes away, the unnamed person may come forward to contest the will and claim what they see as their fair share of the estate. This can cause conflict among the existing beneficiaries and cause delays in the estate administration process.
Charley Pride’s son fights for share of estate
Country music legend Charley Pride passed away in December 2020, leaving behind his wife of 60 years and their three children. However, it later came to light that Pride had an affair with a flight attendant and had a son with her. That son, Tyler Pride, recently filed a lawsuit to contest Charley’s will, in which he was not named.
According to Tyler, he had a good relationship with his father, and his father continued to remain in his life even after he turned 18. However, Tyler argues that he was kept out of the loop by Charley’s other family members, as he was not informed of his father’s illness and was not allowed to attend the funeral. Tyler claims Charley’s wife, Rozene, unduly influenced her husband, who admitted to having mental health issues. He believes his father would want him to be taken care of in the same way as his other children and wants to honor his father’s wishes.
Rozene, however, disagrees, saying that Charley did help support Tyler but did not include Tyler as a beneficiary until 2020, and that Tyler’s claims are predominately false.
If you find yourself in a battle over a loved one’s estate, it can be helpful to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. A Maryland estate planning attorney can help you handle these difficult circumstances and help you recover the assets you are entitled to.
