This isn’t a made-for-TV drama. It’s real life. And it’s painful.

After a loved one passes, it’s not unusual for an un-married partner, ‘special friend,’ or even a brand-new spouse to make a claim on property, jewelry, or bank accounts. Without a clear plan in place (that outlines your wishes), the fight over what belongs to whom often lands up in court , with the real cost measured in broken family ties.