During 2025, there was a significant increase in the number of Wills that have been disputed.
There has, for instance, been an increase of 56% of contested probate cases, and it is anticipated that this will rise in 2026. Will writing solicitors in North Wales may note that there are a range of reasons why Wills have been challenged, and some are more common than others.
One of the main reasons why a Will is contested in the UK is when a concern is raised about the testator’s mental capacity when they this document was written. Around 40% of cases where a challenge was made was because of this concern. The other most common challenge was undue influence, with 30% of all Will disputes involving claims that the testator was somehow coerced into their decisions.
Wills experts have seen other reasons, such as a Will not being executed correctly, steadily increase. It has also been found that many of the recent disputes could have been easily avoided. Estate planning can be made much less controversial by using Will experts to draw up this document and to ensure that independent witnesses are used as well as the appropriate use of medical assessments. The new changes to Will making this year is anticipated to address and help avoid some of these common problems.
Talk to us now here at Bennett Smith Solicitors and request an appointment to discuss your Will with one of our legal experts.
