For most people, spitting into a tube for a 23andMe or AncestryDNA test is nothing more than a lighthearted curiosity. Maybe you want to confirm that rumored Irish heritage, explore genetic health markers, or connect with distant cousins. What you don’t expect is for your family tree to suddenly sprout a brand-new branch—one that comes knocking not just for conversation, but for a share of the family fortune.
Yet according to recent reports,
(paywall link https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/they-found-relatives-on-23andmeand-asked-for-a-cut-of-the-inheritance-251e5f4c)
that’s exactly what is happening across the country. As consumer DNA databases
grow, more families are discovering unexpected siblings, and some of those
newly found relatives are taking their cases straight to probate court. The
resulting stories are dramatic, emotional, and—depending on your
perspective—eye-opening.
When the DNA Match Comes With
a Legal Claim
Amanda’s Family Surprise
Shortly after Amanda’s father
passed away, she and her sister received their inheritance and began settling
the estate. Everything seemed resolved—until a message arrived from a woman
claiming to be their half sister. She had matched with both siblings through a
DNA test and insisted she was entitled to a portion of the inheritance. Their
father had never mentioned another child, but the genetic evidence was
difficult to dispute. Suddenly, the estate they thought was settled wasn’t so
settled after all.
Ryan’s Unexpected Half
Brother
In Ryan’s case, his father had
died years earlier and the estate had long since been closed. Out of the blue,
a man from another state reached out after discovering their strong DNA
connection. He believed he was Ryan’s half-brother and petitioned the court to
reopen the estate. The judge agreed. Ryan ultimately had to divide funds that
he had assumed would never be questioned again.
A Boston Family’s Complicated
Reunion
One Boston family had finalized
their father’s affairs when an estranged daughter reappeared. She located two
half sisters through a DNA service, met with them, swapped stories, and sifted
through old photos. But the reunion soon turned contentious. She filed legal
claims seeking part of a multimillion-dollar malpractice settlement linked to
her father’s medical care—an action that blindsided the rest of the family.
A Utah Case Echoes the Trend
A similar situation played out
in Utah, where a man discovered new paternal siblings through an online DNA
match. Convinced he was legally entitled to a portion of his father’s
estate—despite years having passed—he pursued the matter in court. After a protracted
legal battle, a judge ultimately awarded him a share.
A Growing Reality in the Age
of Consumer DNA
Millions of people have taken
genetic tests in the last decade, and each new test expands the pool of
possible matches. For some, these discoveries bring closure or connection. For
others, they open old wounds—or create entirely new ones.
But one thing is clear: DNA has
shifted the landscape of inheritance law. Biological reality can now reemerge
long after legal processes are assumed complete.
Protecting Your Estate in the
DNA Era
While only an attorney can
provide legal advice, estate planners are increasingly urging people to be
clearer and more detailed in their wills than ever before. Some general
recommendations include:
·
Identify each beneficiary by full legal name.
Avoid vague language like “my children” or “my heirs,” which can become
ambiguous when unexpected siblings appear.
·
Include an explicit exclusion clause.
Many lawyers now suggest adding a statement clarifying that individuals unknown
to you at the time of signing are not included as beneficiaries.
·
Review and update your estate documents
regularly. Life changes, relationships shift, and new information surfaces.
Your will should reflect your intentions—not whatever a DNA test might reveal
years later.
No one can predict whether they
have a “bonus child” somewhere out in the world. But in a time when genetic
testing can reveal long-buried family secrets, a carefully drafted estate plan
may prevent your family from entering a legal maze after you’re gone.
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