‘Ruinously expensive’: record number of inheritance disputes in England and Wales

As many as 10,000 people are disputing wills every year, according to estimates by specialist solicitors

Thousands of families are becoming embroiled in a soaring number of inheritance disputes leading to a record volume of “ruinously expensive” and emotionally gruelling court cases.

As many as 10,000 people in England and Wales are disputing wills every year, according to estimates by specialist solicitors. In 2021-22, 195 disputes went in front of judges, up from 145 in 2017, but these are the tip of the iceberg, with most disputes settled out of court.