What can we safely do while the issue of beneficiary forms that conflict with a will or trust is unresolved?

For a state specific analysis, a coordinated estate review should compare every beneficiary form with the will or trust and add contingent beneficiaries where appropriate. For a state specific analysis, many retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable on death accounts pass according to the beneficiary designation on file rather than the will. Negotiation may be less expensive and disruptive than court when relatives are in conflict, as long as the agreement respects fiduciary duties and everyone's legal rights. The rules for probate, trusts, property, and family claims are not uniform nationwide, so before anyone takes a step that could be difficult to unwind, a local lawyer should review the controlling documents and current court or title record.