Probate
High court disputes over wills and inheritance have risen by 175%.
Research by City law firm Wedlake Bell, show an increase from 83 disputes in 2006 to 228 in 2007. Wedlake Bell partner Fay Copeland says: “We are seeing more cases where disputes arise from spouses from first, second or even third marriages. Things get even more complicated when it comes to provisions for the children of each marriage. People can end up very displeased with the size of the slice of the estate they receive and have fewer qualms about taking take matters to court if they feel they have been treated unfairly under the will.”