More than 1,200 inheritance disputes were filed in the High Court in 2025, a record level and 13% higher than in 2024. Law firms report siblings make up 40%–50% of cases. Probate-blocking applications rose 12% to more than 11,500 in the year to July 2025.
A caveat freezes estate administration for six months and is commonly used by someone concerned about a will. Challenges may argue that the deceased lacked mental capacity when writing it or failed to make sufficient financial provision for dependants. In the UK, people can leave assets to whomever they choose.
In June 2026, a county court rejected Robert Chung’s claim to inherit the family home alone, leaving him with a £265,000 legal bill. He said the house had been promised to him for caring for his mother, Irene Chung, who died in 2016 without a valid will; the estate had to be split between him and his two siblings. Years of property-price growth have helped fuel will challenges, while baby boomers are expected to transfer an estimated £5.5tn over the next two decades.
