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Eurydice Cote
This article first appeared in EPrivateClient on the 18th August 2020.
Recent statistics published by the Ministry of Justice evidence that disputes in the High Court over wills continue to increase year on year.
Modern family dynamics (primarily) arising from second marriages and step children and/or half brothers and sisters as well as increased house prices are likely the most obvious reasons for the upward curve. Estates are worth more and consequently considered worth fighting over, particularly when there is no love lost between the parties. Further factors for the increase may be that individuals live longer sometimes with dementia or capacity issues, and the fact that there are frequently multiple jurisdictions and different cultures involved.
188 cases are reported to have been made in the High Court in 2019 alone (falling within the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants|) Act 1975). When considering this figure it is also important to bear in mind that the reality of this type of dispute is that in fact very few cases percentage wise are likely to make it to a final court hearing. This is because the parties to an inheritance dispute will more commonly reach an agreement out of court through mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution.
A will can be challenged on the basis that it is invalid for any of the following reasons:
Alternatively, a claim may be made under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, which enables certain categories of persons to make a claim against an estate provided it can be shown that they were financially dependent on the deceased and that adequate provision was not made for them in the Will. Any claim under the 1975 Act must be made within six months of the issue of the Grant of Probate. These claims are particularly effective for surviving spouses.
The risk of a claim against an estate can often be reduced by ensuring quality legal advice is obtained in relation to the preparation of a Will and a clear record made as to the reasons for the decisions made as to who should benefit (whether in the body of the document itself or a separate letter of wishes). If a dispute does arise, early legal advice is also recommended in order that effort can be made to resolve the situation without recourse to the court and at minimum cost.
If you would like to discuss any points raised in this blog, please contact a member of our Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes team. You may also be interested in our Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes webpages, including our frequently asked questions page.
Katherine Pymont is a Senior Associate in our Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes team.
Katherine's expertise includes challenging the validity of wills (including claims for lack of testamentary capacity, want of knowledge and approval, fraud, forgery and undue influence), claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, removal of executors and trustees, breach of trust claims, fraud cases involving trust structures and professional negligence claims relating to wills and trusts. She also works in Court of Protection matters including the appointment and removal of deputies and acting on behalf of deputies in seeking to recover misappropriated assets.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
Eurydice Cote
Richard Fox
Marcia Longdon
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