Forbes:  Did dad know what he was doing when he signed a will leaving the bulk of his estate to his caregiver daughter, leaving her siblings with much less? Did mom mean to disinherit her only child or was it a mistake?  Did grandma mean for her daughters to split her jewelry collection with their brother’s wife?

These kinds of questions are at the heart of estate fights. Whether it’s thousands of dollars at stake or millions, whether you expect a fight or anticipate peace among the beneficiaries of your estate, there are things you can do while you’re alive to avoid a protracted battle over your estate after your death.