How do you relinquish rights to inheritance?
The depends on the laes of the state where the will is probated. Generally, a person can relinquish rights to inheritance at any time during the decedent’s lifetime or within a fairly short statutory period after the person’s death. During the lifetime, a person can make a writing that specifically gives up the right to inherit. A verbal relinquishment may or may not be valid. After death, a beneficiary or heir can “disclaim” any part of or all of his/her inheritance. The disclaiming process is usually governed by statute and will be effective only if the statutory requirements are met. One of the most important requirements will be filing the written disclaimer within the period of time fixed by statute.
