When the opposing party presents a signed document: why in will and inheritance disputes you must go to the source
Attorney Rachel Shahar explains why in inheritance disputes it is necessary to verify documents against the issuing body, rather than relying on a convincing copy. She describes a case where contacting the company revealed a discrepancy between the submitted document and the original records.
Attorney Rachel Shahar, an expert in family, inheritance, and guardianship matters, explains why in inheritance disputes one should not settle for a document that appears convincing, but must verify it against the body that issued it. She describes a case where she represented the daughter of a deceased woman, and the opposing party submitted purchase documents for a yacht in Monaco that appeared to be signed by both parties. Contacting the issuing company revealed that in its original records the documents were registered solely in the name of the deceased. Shahar emphasizes that the discrepancy between the submitted document and the original records does not automatically prove forgery, but requires an explanation, and the decision rests with the court. She details the distinction between an original physical document and the source record with the issuer, and explains that the admissibility of a document is not the same as its evidentiary weight. The article includes a list of practical steps for examining documents in inheritance disputes, stressing the need to consider the full picture rather than relying on a single piece of evidence.