Figures just released show that during 2015 a record number of 14167 Wills were challenged in the Courts. This represented almost 21% increase over the previous year. The main causes appear to be divorces, remarriages and the ever rising property values in estates of deceased persons. Most disputes involve the distribution of assets by disappointed family members. Nearly one in ten people over the age of 65 is now a divorcee and unless new Wills are created to protect inheritance by children of the first marriage they can lose out altogether to children of the second. Unmarried relationships also cause difficulties on the death of one or other of the partners involved especially where property is jointly owned and not as ‘tenants in common’. The increasing values of private residences means that there is usually a large sum to dispute over. All of this indicates the necessity of keeping your Will up to date in accordance with your present circumstances.
