DIY wills drive up High Court disputes

There was a 62% rise in inheritance disputes between family members in the High Court last year as more people opt to use do-it-yourself will-writing services. There were 368 disputes about probate in 2018, up from 282 in 2017 and 227 the year before that. Peter King, a partner at Nockolds, said: “It is quite easy for a mistake to be made [in probate], resulting in money or assets being distributed to the wrong people. There can also be a conflict of interest if a family member administering the estate is a beneficiary too.”

The Sunday Times, Business, Page: 18

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In 2023 there were 122 contested probate cases, up from 116 cases in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice Family Court Statistics.

Philip Collins, Partner at Winckworth Sherwood, said that it “isn’t at all surprising” that there has been a rise in contested probate claims. He said: “We know that significant amounts of wealth, often tied up in property, is currently being passed down to younger generations. Inherited wealth is becoming increasingly important and can often […]