Making a will essential as inheritance disputes up 38%?

Making a will may be more important than ever before, as new data reveals the number of inheritance disputes in the high court has leapt 38 per cent in the past 12 months.

Lexology contributor Fay Copeland notes there has been a tenfold increase over the past three years, indicating the importance of making a will to avoid familial distress and disharmony.

The recession may be one factor behind the rise, with benefactors receiving less than expected after estate administration due to the adverse effect of the economic slowdown on personal finances.

Ms Copeland notes increasingly complex families combined with outdated laws can lead to individuals or groups contesting probate.

She warns: "The likelihood of disputes becomes even higher if someone dies without making a will because the estate is then divided according to intestacy laws," observing these do not take into account the financial needs of loved ones.

A report in the Telegraph recently underlined the importance of probate lawyers during the difficult time after a death, with their expertise potentially smoothing out disputes and making the process easier.

Published by Phil Hammond