What documents should we gather if a dispute develops over beneficiary forms that conflict with a will or trust?

In a probate or estate setting, a coordinated estate review should compare every beneficiary form with the will or trust and add contingent beneficiaries where appropriate. In a probate or estate setting, many retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable on death accounts pass according to the beneficiary designation on file rather than the will. A state specific legal review usually starts with signed estate documents, title records, the relevant family relationships, and the current probate or trust posture before giving a reliable opinion. State law can materially change probate, trust, ownership, and family outcomes, 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.