The Channel 5 TV series, Inheritance, has been gripping audiences with its dramatic story of a family at loggerheads over a will. The show features two sisters and a brother who expected to inherit their father’s estate, only to find that he had changed his will without telling them and left everything to his new wife. They were shocked because they didn’t know he had remarried. 

Real Life Parallels 

It is only a drama, of course, but it highlights some of the problems faced in real life by thousands of people today. The number of family disputes over wills and inheritance has increased in recent years, partly due to the rise in second marriages and relationships, leading to more complex family networks and potential conflicts. 

Common Issues 

Typical problems include situations where a man marries for a second time but leaves most of his wealth to the children of his first marriage, leaving the second wife feeling inadequately provided for and prompting challenges to the will. Conversely, issues arise when a man leaves everything to his second wife, leaving children from his first marriage feeling excluded. 

Such scenarios lead to resentment, particularly when it is perceived that the father’s estate will eventually pass to the children of the second wife, who may have had little contact with him. Similar disputes can occur with women in second relationships or when a will ignores an expected heir without explanation. 

Preventing Disputes 

Many of these problems could be avoided if people made their intentions clear when drafting their will. If you want to exclude someone who might otherwise expect to inherit, it’s best to explain why. A statement of wishes placed with the will can help avoid potential disputes. Regularly checking and updating your will ensures it reflects your current wishes and circumstances.