The Guardian has reported a record number of inheritance disputes in England and Wales. It estimates that “as many as 10,000 people are disputing wills every year” and goes on to report that in 2021-22, 195 cases went to trial.
The Guardian attributes this to a number of factors. The rise in inheritance disputes is being driven by the natural passing of the wealthy property-rich, baby boomer generation. Descendants are incentivised by the high value of the assets at stake. The increase in second marriages, blended families and complex familial relationships has led to a rise in individuals being disinherited. Further, the number of people living with dementia is ever increasing, as people live longer into their old age, which has resulted in a greater number of claims that wills are not valid for a lack of testamentary capacity. The cost of living crisis, increase on homemade wills especially over the Covid-19 pandemic and greater public awareness have driven the rise in disputes. Claimants may realise an inheritance is one of the few ways to secure a deposit large enough to enable them to engage with the housing market. In some quarters, there appears to be a perception of inheritance as an entitlement and source of income, rather than a gift.
If you are involved in a dispute, seeking professional legal advice may help the highly stressful and emotionally difficult situation you are in. Our team specialises in a range of disputes involving inheritance, wills, trusts, charities and elderly / vulnerable individuals.
We welcome any enquiries to see if we can support and navigate you through this challenging time.
‘Ruinously expensive’: record number of inheritance disputes in England and Wales, The Guardian, 24 February 2024.