The number of people challenging Wills and testaments in the UK high court hit a fresh high last year, according to private wealth law firm Boodle Hatfield.
There were 192 cases brought by people who claimed they were entitled to a share or larger portion of a deceased’s estate in 2020, up from the 188 in the previous year and a 50% increase from 2018.
The law firm said that covid was a “potentially significant factor” because many people suffered financial loss during lockdown; while several estates saw their value increase thanks to the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday.
James Woods-Davison, associate in the private wealth disputes team at Boodle Hatfield, said: “Those who have suffered financially due to the pandemic are likely to be even more motivated to seek a ‘fair’ share of their inheritance.
“Because estate administration takes time, the height of the pandemic may not yet be reflected in the number of claims.”
Boodle Hatfield believes that this may be just the beginning, because social distancing measures during lockdown likely disrupted succession planning for many, which could lead to a higher number of disputes in the future.
For instance, Wills that were signed and witnessed over video may be easier to challenge in court.
“Families can find, to their dismay, that meticulous succession planning can be overturned if a valid inheritance claim has been overlooked or ignored,” Woods-Davidson added.
