Inheritance disputes can make the emotionally charged process of managing someone’s estate after they have died even worse.

However, recent research has found that one in five UK adults would contest a Will if they felt unhappy with their share of inheritance.

We want to look at why disputes are on the rise and what can be done to get things back under control.

How can inheritance disputes be avoided?

A good Will is the best defence against inheritance disputes.

An up-to-date, solidly written Will can serve to lower the chance of disputes, as it should clearly define how your assets are being divided by your loved ones.

This should be paired with a discussion with your friends and family about what inheritance they can expect to receive, if any, and your reasons for this.

Many disputes arise as a result of people feeling surprised and overlooked by the Will of someone they felt close to if the assigning of inheritance does not match that perceived emotional connection.

While regularly reviewing Wills is a good idea, there are a few key events that should cause you to update your Will to reflect changing circumstances.

These include:

· Marriage or divorce

· The birth of a child or grandchild

· Changes in financial circumstances

· Starting or selling a business

· A bereavement in the family

· A beneficiary obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate

It may also be worth ensuring that any name changes conducted using a Deed Poll are reflected in your Will so that there is no confusion about who is being addressed.

Why are inheritance disputes more common now?

There is a big issue of people not writing Wills, but even when they do, there may not be the necessary provisions in place to limit the chance of disputes.

In terrorem clauses, or anti-contest clauses, are designed to squash any potential disputes before they arise.

While these are not always legally enforceable, a well-written in terrorem clause can prevent frivolous litigation and avoid destructive family infighting.

This is especially useful as many younger people are viewing inheritance as the only way to get on the property ladder.

With inheritance being viewed as a higher-stakes issue, it is natural that emotions may run high, so all provisions must be taken to defuse situations before they arise.

Our team at Palmers Solicitors can help you to create a Will that handles your assets in accordance with your wishes.

We can discuss any complexities with your estate or family dynamics and advise you on how to manage these in the Will itself and with any supporting documents.

If you are engaged in an inheritance dispute, we can help you understand your rights and responsibilities and hopefully assist with bringing the situation to a satisfactory conclusion.

Life can have its ups and downs and relationships change over time.

That is why we are committed to empowering the Essex community to keep moving forward with confidence. Speak to our team for expert support with writing Wills or managing inheritance disputes.