According to new figures, High Court disputes between family members over inheritance have reached a record high.
Last year under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, 116 cases were brought; an 11.5% increase from 2014, where 104 claims were made to the High Court. The difference from 2005 significant, as in this year only 15 cases were heard. This has increased to 8 times higher when compared to the latest figures.
The rise in claims has been put down to numerous reasons. Multiple marriages, cohabitation and civil partnerships have all contributed to the growing complexity in modern family structures, along with increased public awareness of the law and property price uplift.