Families at war over wills

Ministry of Justice data obtained by TWM Solicitors shows 122 challenges to wills in 2024–25, up from 76 cases in 2020–21. Wills can be contested on the basis of mental capacity, undue influence, legal formalities or fraud.

According to TWM, the rise has been fuelled by later inheritance, dementia and complex family structures.

‘Just with a property involved, even a fairly modest estate can be worth over £500,000 to £1m,’ said Stuart Downey, partner at TWM.

‘With people living longer, inheritances often arrive when beneficiaries are already well into middle age and therefore have the resources to fund a legal claim. Growing family complexity is also a driver.’