A new piece of research has found that disputes over the contents of Wills are on the rise, and that blended families are most likely to encounter them.
This research was undertaken by STEP. The organisation spoke to 533 professionals, including financial advisors, lawyers and solicitors in North Wales. In response, 41% of them stated that they personally had dealt with rising numbers of disputed estates among blended families. The term ‘blended family’ refers to one made up of parents with children from earlier relationships.
Another 71% of the legal professionals who participated in the survey said that families of that kind are the primary reason why estate disputes are on the rise. When it comes to the biggest cause of those disputes, 68% cited disagreements between either step-parents and surviving parents or stepchildren and children.
A further 37% said that the main cause was disparities in treatment among siblings, while 27% named divisions between stepchildren and children.
Emily Deane from STEP told Today’s Wills and Probate that too many just assume that loved ones will automatically benefit from their estates after death. She then added:
“Unfortunately, people don’t always realise the unintended financial, emotional and legal consequences of not having a Will, or one that is out-of-date until it is too late, and their family is left to pick up the pieces.”
If you want to be sure that this does not happen to your family and you want the help of experienced Will writing solicitors in North Wales, get in touch with Bennett Smith Solicitors right away.
