Inheritance disputes are spreading to the world of trusts. Michael Tringham reports
Yet another solicitor bemoans the rise in disputes over inheritance. Marvin Simons, Head of Dispute Resolution at Seddons, cites research showing that in the last six months alone one in 10 adults have been, or are currently in dispute, following a death—and blames the “vulture syndrome”. On average such disputes take 12 months to resolve, yet almost half the claimants receive no more than £250 for their pains.
Mr Simons says: “In many cases such disputes could have been minimised or even avoided altogether if the deceased had prepared a properly drafted and up-to-date will and discussed his or her intentions with the family before their death.”
According to STEP, the contagion is spreading to the world of trusts, with a marked increase in trust and estate litigation over the past couple of years: “As family fortunes suffer from the global financial crisis, it seems likely that the trend will continue to accelerate. Litigation can become hard fought, prove costly and exacerbate family tensions. STEP considers that trust and estate disputes
