Blended families are now a normal part of modern life, but they can make inheritance planning much more complicated. A recent report by STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) found that blended families and stepchildren are now the biggest cause of legal and inheritance disputes.
As a private wealth disputes specialist, I am seeing more clients involved in disagreements following the death of a loved one where there are second marriages, stepchildren or competing expectations within the family. In many cases, the issues are not caused by bad intentions, but by unclear planning, outdated wills or assumptions that family members would simply “work things out”.
Families today are often made up of second marriages, unmarried couples, stepchildren and relatives living in different countries. While every family is different, these changing family structures can create uncertainty if wishes are not clearly recorded.
One of the biggest issues is disagreement between children, stepchildren and surviving partners. The STEP report found that 68% of professionals said this was the most common source of conflict in blended families. In the disputes I deal with, it is common to see arguments over whether assets should pass to a surviving spouse, children from an earlier relationship, or both. These situations can become particularly difficult where expectations have never been openly discussed.
The report also showed that disputes in modern families are increasing, with 41% of professionals seeing more disagreements over inheritance in the past year alone. This reflects what many practitioners working in contentious probate are experiencing. I regularly see disputes arising where wills have not been updated after remarriage, where promises were made informally, or where family members feel they have been treated unfairly.
Many people assume their family will find a way through after they are gone. Unfortunately, that is not always the reality. Once emotions, grief and financial pressures become involved, even close families can find themselves in conflict.
The STEP report highlights the importance of open conversations and early planning. Families who discuss these issues openly are often far better prepared and less likely to experience disputes later on. Although these conversations can feel uncomfortable, they are often far easier than dealing with litigation after a death.
Trusts are also becoming increasingly common in blended family planning. These can help protect assets for children while still ensuring a surviving spouse or partner is financially supported during their lifetime. Proper advice and careful drafting can make a significant difference in avoiding future misunderstandings.
The report comes at a time when large amounts of wealth are expected to pass between generations. STEP found that 77% of professionals are already seeing this “Great Wealth Transfer” taking place. As family arrangements become more complex, keeping wills and estate planning under regular review is becoming more important than ever.
From a private wealth disputes perspective, many of the cases I see could have been reduced, or avoided entirely, with clearer planning and communication at an earlier stage. For blended families especially, taking advice early can help minimise uncertainty, reduce the risk of future disputes and provide greater clarity for loved ones. Not all matters can be resolved as easily and when that happens you need clear and effective advice to help you through what can be a very challenging time.
Contact Alastair Goggins or our Dispute Resolution team to find out how our experts can assist you with blended families inheritance disputes.