Published in: The Conversation
by Stephan Köppe on May 17th, 2022
Inheritance gone wrong is a popular theme in fiction. In the recent German miniseries The Funeral, the one-sided will of the family patriarch unhinges the entire ceremony, and long-held hostilities are aired at the grave.
In our research, we tried to understand why families go to court to fight over inheritances. We found that there has been an increase in inheritance disputes reported annually since 1985. Using digital case reports databases, we selected 32 court cases which took place in England in 2014 to analyse closely, providing detailed insights into contemporary family life.
Here are four reasons why families can end up in court to contest a will – and how to avoid a court battle.
Open and honest communication is essential. In many cultures it is a taboo to talk openly about death, but communicating your intentions and expectations during your lifetime will reduce stress and the possibility of unwelcome surprises for your loved ones. Keeping your promises is key. In other words, don’t change your will at the last minute on your deathbed – this can be easily challenged in court.
Stephan Köppe Assistant Professor of Social Policy, University College Dublin
