Inheritance disputes rise amid silent families

The growing tension surrounding inheritance disputes is becoming a pressing issue in family dynamics across the UK, particularly among blended families. According to recent research from STEP, the professional body for trust and estate practitioners, a staggering 44 million UK adults reportedly lack clear communication regarding their final wishes, with around 19 million estimated to have no will at all. This gap in estate planning has been linked to a significant rise in disputes over inheritance, which practitioners warn is compounded by the complexity of modern family structures.

The findings indicate that 41% of practitioners have noted an increase in disputes specifically within blended step-families. Furthermore, 71% agree that the intricate nature of these families is a primary contributor to legal challenges concerning inheritance and business succession. Conflict often arises from the struggle between children or stepchildren and a surviving parent or stepparent, with 68% of practitioners identifying this as the most frequent source of conflict. Other notable causes of friction include unequal treatment among siblings, cited by 37%, and disputes specifically between children and stepchildren, noted by 27%.

The STEP research also highlights that practitioners are increasingly stepping beyond traditional legal advice, offering mediation and additional support services to help families navigate these sensitive issues and avoid prolonged and costly disputes that could irreparably harm relationships. Details and further insights can be found in the STEP Barometer 2026: Global trends in family wealth and succession planning.

Further examination reveals that a staggering 80% of UK adults have not communicated their death wishes to their families. This lack of dialogue, combined with the absence of wills—especially among older adults—highlights a pressing need for proactive estate planning. Notably, data shows that while 30% of parents with children under 18 lack a will, this figure rises to 39% for those with adult children. Alarmingly, divorced individuals are the least likely to have a will, with 44% reporting no estate planning.

Emily Deane TEP, Technical Counsel & Head of Government Affairs at STEP, explains, "Many people are still under the assumption that their assets will go automatically to their loved ones, but this isn’t always the case, especially within blended families where there are children from different relationships." Deane urges the importance of proper planning and open communication, stating that hard conversations can help set realistic inheritance expectations and prevent disputes.

Nina Sperring TEP, a STEP member and partner at Price Slater Gawne, adds, "Most of the difficult situations we encounter could have been prevented with careful legal planning and honest conversations." She points out that avoiding discussions around death or finances often leads to ambiguity and misunderstandings, particularly within blended families.

With around 3.5 million people in the UK likely to seek advice on inheritance disputes in the next year and 8% contemplating contesting a will if they feel unfairly treated, the importance of estate planning cannot be overstated. As families navigate the complexities of modern relationships, practitioners stress the need for clear, ongoing communication and legally binding planning to manage expectations and secure equitable outcomes for all involved.