Research finds blended families face highest risk as millions fail to discuss wills and inheritance wishes
A lack of estate planning and poor communication within families are contributing to a growing rise in inheritance disputes, according to new research from STEP, the professional body for trust and estate practitioners.
The organisation said blended families are facing the greatest risk of conflict as family structures become increasingly complex while discussions around inheritance remain limited or avoided altogether.
Research commissioned by STEP found that 41% of practitioners had seen an increase in disputes involving blended stepfamilies. Meanwhile, 71% said increasingly complex family structures were now the leading cause of legal or planning challenges linked to inheritance and business succession.
According to the findings, the most common source of disagreement involves disputes between children or stepchildren and a surviving parent or stepparent. Around 68% of practitioners identified this as the leading cause of conflict. Unequal treatment between siblings was cited by 37%, while 27% pointed to disputes between children and stepchildren.
The report also highlighted growing concern within the private client sector over the long-term impact of unresolved inheritance disputes. STEP said trust and estate practitioners are increasingly offering mediation and related services alongside legal advice in an attempt to resolve disagreements before they develop into lengthy and expensive litigation.
Separate independent research commissioned by STEP revealed that 80% of UK adults said their family members were unaware of their wishes after death. The findings suggest millions of people across the UK have not communicated details about their estate plans, wills or inheritance intentions with relatives.
The research further found that around 35% of UK adults do not currently have a will. Only 16% said they had discussed their will, their wishes after death, or the location of important legal documents with loved ones.
STEP has previously warned that modern family structures are creating increasing legal and succession planning challenges. Earlier research by the organisation identified significant growth in blended, cohabiting and multi-jurisdictional families seeking estate planning advice, while outdated legislation and inadequate communication were said to be contributing to rising litigation and family breakdowns.
Nina Sperring TEP, STEP member and partner at Price Slater Gawne, said many of the disputes encountered by practitioners could have been avoided through proper legal planning and open conversations within families. She said blended families were particularly vulnerable because informal assurances and assumptions made years earlier often led to misunderstandings and conflicting expectations between surviving partners, spouses and children from previous relationships.
Emily Deane, Technical Counsel at STEP, has also previously warned that modern families frequently face complex legal, tax and succession issues that require clear planning and communication to reduce the risk of future conflict.
The findings form part of STEP Barometer 2026, which examines global trends in family wealth and succession planning. Practitioners surveyed by the organisation reported increasing demand for inheritance and succession services as family dynamics continue to evolve.