Inheritance disputes are on the rise: How to protect your loved ones

Inheritance disputes are on the rise, with more than 1 in 5 UK adults saying they would
consider challenging a Will or Inheritance if they felt it was unfair or did not reflect the
deceased’s intentions.

So, what can you do to make sure your loved ones won’t have to face disputes in the future?
Whilst every situation is unique, there are a few things everyone can do to ensure you and
your family are best prepared for the future.

Write a Will

Nearly half of people in the UK state they’re worried an outdated or missing Will could cause
disputes among their family. And yet, 48% of people do not have a will in place.
If you’re one of them, it’s time to take action now. Without a Will, your family could be left
exposed to uncertainty, disagreement and, increasingly, formal legal disputes. Not having a
will in place is actually one of the main reasons for inheritance disputes, according to the
latest research conducted by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.

Update your Will

Your Will should be treated as a living document – evolving as your life changes. So, if your
circumstances are changing, you should consider updating this legal document to make sure
you’re still protecting the people you care about and avoid legal disagreements.
It’s best practice to review your Will every five years or after major life events such as getting
married, becoming a grandparent, changes in your financial situation or starting a business,
a death in your family, or if you or one of your beneficiaries has obtained a Gender
Recognition Certificate.

Communicate your wishes and have difficult conversations

Planning for the future sometimes means facing difficult topics. But we’d recommend having
those conversations before it’s too late to make sure your wishes are heard.
Letting your loved ones know about your wishes not only provides them with piece of mind
for things such as funeral plans, but it will also help them to know what to expect. That way,
things you’ve outlined in your will won’t come as a surprise to them.

Take action now

If it’s been a while since you last looked at your Will – or you don’t have one yet – now is
the time to take action.

At Rucklidge Law, we offer specialist expertise in later-life legal matters. We can help you
and your family put clear, legally robust plans in place to help ease your mind and avoid
inheritance disputes in the future.

If you’re concerned about inheritance disputes, are looking for advice on setting up or
updating your Will, reach out to us here: Planning for the future – Rucklidge Law