Inheritance Disputes UK
Updated: May 27th, 2025
One of the reasons inheritance disputes are on the rise, in the UK, is a significant increase in the number of blended families. We are calling this the Cinderella Dilemma…
In this article we look at a problem we encounter on a daily basis; children missing out on the inheritance their parents intended for them due to the actions of a step-parent.
At the heart of the problem is the legal principle that marriage revokes a will. So as soon as someone remarries any mirror will they made with their departed spouse will be automatically revoked. This means that either a new will has to be made or the intestacy rules come into operation. Either way, the end result could well be very different to what was originally intended when the mirror wills were entered into.
There are measures we can take to protect our children’s inheritance, but it does involve what might be an awkward conversation with our partner. So, should we trust our spouse and hope for the best? Or should we confront this potential problem and risk upsetting our partner?
