I often have clients who have family property and they want to give each of their children an interest in the property. But this does not happen nearly as often as I have clients visit with me about how in the world they can sell or build on a property when they own a 1/32 share, and they do not know who the other owners are. This nightmare scenario is usually created when several owners in succession die without a will.

If your will does not provide for a Contingent Trust, your heirs will have full control of their inheritance at age 18. It is a rare 18 year old who is really old enough to be given unfettered access to more than 60 days worth of living expenses. When most people sit down and really think about at what age their children or grandchildren should come into their inheritance, I much more frequently hear 25 or 30 than 18.