In this video, our Champaign probate litigation attorneys explain family settlement agreements for Illinois probate litigation and trust disputes. A family settlement agreement can be used to resolve ambiguities within a trust or will in order to avoid tension between family members and costly litigation A family settlement agreement is an agreement between beneficiaries of a trust or will that have a genuine dispute over a provision of the trust or will. The agreement can be used to adjust or clarify a provision of the trust or will. The agreement must be signed by all interested in parties, but it does not have to be filed in court.