Threats of disinheritance to prevent challenges to a will or living trust are nothing new, but the enforceability of these threats will be affected by new California law.  At the start of the new year in 2010, the rules will be changed for challenges brought against wills and trusts if the “testator” (the person who made the will) has included a “no contest clause” in the document.  A no contest clause generally says that if you challenge the will and lose the contest, you’ll be completely disinherited under the will, or take a significantly reduced share.  For public policy reasons, no contest provisions are not blindly followed by the courts.  That’s why even when there is a no contest clause, if the legitimacy of the will or trust (or parts of the document) come into question, it’s sometimes possible to bring a valid challenge in order for the probate court to determine if the deceased’s true wishes are reflected in the will. (more…)