Research finds that most people aged 45–54 have no will, increasing the risk of inheritance disputes
A growing inheritance crisis is emerging across the UK, with many people in midlife failing to put basic legal protections in place, according to new research.
The study, commissioned by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, found that nearly three in five people aged 45 to 54 do not have a will. The figure is higher than the national average, with 48% of UK adults aged 30 and over also lacking a will.
Researchers said the findings are particularly concerning because midlife is often the stage when individuals have dependent children, property, and increasingly complex financial responsibilities.
Without a will, estates are distributed according to statutory rules rather than personal wishes, which can leave families facing uncertainty and potential legal disputes after a death.
The research also identified cost as a significant factor influencing whether people write or update a will. More than half of respondents (56%) said financial considerations affect their decision, despite acknowledging that a valid will can reduce stress and legal costs for relatives later.
Concerns about family conflict were also widely reported. Nearly half (48%) of respondents said they worry that a missing or outdated will could cause arguments or disputes among relatives.
More than one in four people surveyed (26%) said they would consider challenging a will or inheritance if they believed it did not reflect the intentions of the deceased.
Legal practitioners say the issue is already affecting estates in practice. A separate study of more than 115 accredited lifetime lawyers found that 78% have seen an increase in contested estates during the past five years.
According to the research, disputes often arise where estates are divided unequally between children, where families include step-relationships, or where wills have been drafted without professional advice.
Emma Bryson, board director at the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and a senior associate in the disputed wills, trusts and estates team at Michelmores, said changing family structures were contributing to the problem.
She said many people assume their intentions will be clear to relatives, but this is not always the case if wishes are not formally documented.
The research also highlighted widespread inaction across different age groups. Among people aged 30 to 34 who do not have a will, 59% said they had simply “never really thought about it”. The same reason was cited by 44% of those aged 35 to 44 and 45 to 54, and by 40% of people aged 55 and over.
For unmarried couples, the consequences can be particularly significant. Unlike spouses or civil partners, cohabiting partners have no automatic inheritance rights if their partner dies without a will.
The Association of Lifetime Lawyers has urged people, particularly those in midlife, to make a will and to review existing wills after major life events such as divorce, new relationships, having children or significant financial changes.