Opinion: The Cost of Dying Without a Will

Written by Chloe Boase - 11.04.25

The recent article in MoneyWeek highlighting the surge in intestate estates and the accompanying rise in inheritance disputes is both timely and deeply concerning. A 17% increase in estates without a will, reaching over 51,000 last year, reflects a growing problem that many people don’t realise the true impact of until it’s too late.

In my role in estate planning at Laurus, most of my clients who take the time to set out their wishes clearly describe a feeling of relief and a weight off, especially those with young children. Equally, I see how stressful and painful things become when they haven’t. When there’s no valid will in place, assets are divided according to rigid intestacy rules. These rules rarely reflect the reality of modern family life and can lead to some deeply unfair and unintended outcomes, particularly for unmarried partners and stepchildren.

Worryingly, nearly two in five people say they would be willing to contest an inheritance in court if they felt it was unfair. That might seem dramatic, but it becomes very real for families left in confusion or disagreement about what the deceased wanted.

My colleague, Derek, who specialises in resolving disputes over wills and estates, sees this firsthand. He often works with families after a loved one has died where tensions run high and relationships are already under strain. As he puts it:

"Disputes between family members can escalate quickly, especially in cases involving blended families. Many of these disputes arise not out of malice, but because the law doesn’t reflect the complexity of modern families. A long-term partner, for instance, is not entitled to anything under intestacy rules, which comes as a shock to many, and can result in claims against the estate."

Derek always stresses how preventable these situations often are:

"These cases are emotionally draining and costly, but they could so often be avoided. A clear, up-to-date will is one of the most important protections you can put in place for your family."

At Laurus, we treat estate planning as part of your overall legal wellbeing, not a one-off task to tick off. We stay in regular contact with our clients, and we’ve recently reached out to everyone whose wills were signed over five years ago. Rarely does life stay the same over that sort of timeframe. Whether it’s marriage, divorce, children, property, or simply a shift in priorities, there’s often a good reason to review and update your plans.

Many of our clients have found this review process reassuring and far simpler than expected. It’s helped them get back into a position of clarity and protection, often with just a few straightforward updates.