More than three quarters, 78%, of UK lawyers offering later life legal advice have seen an increase in contested estates over the past five years, according to new research released this week.
As Update Your Will Week takes place across the UK from 2nd to 8th March 2026, BSG Solicitors is encouraging individuals and families across Lancaster and Preston to review their wills to ensure their wishes are properly protected.
The research, conducted among Accredited Lawyers of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, reveals that the majority of disputes are driven by unequal distribution between children, blended family dynamics, poorly drafted DIY wills and, in many cases, people dying without a will at all.
Rebecca Lauder, Partner at BSG Solicitors, said:
“Family circumstances and financial positions can change significantly over time. If your will does not reflect your current situation, it may not achieve what you intend.
“We regularly see the stress and uncertainty that can arise where there is no valid or up to date will in place. Taking professional advice and reviewing your will every few years, or after a major life event, can help prevent disputes and provide clarity for your loved ones.
“For unmarried couples in particular, there are no automatic inheritance rights, which makes having a properly drafted will essential.”
Update your Will week has also coincided with BSG Solicitors welcoming Samantha Walker back to its Preston office.
Samantha is a Chartered Legal Executive who qualified in 2018 and is a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly. She advises on tax and estate planning, trusts, wills and probate, intestacy, Court of Protection applications and Lasting Powers of Attorney, and offers home visits for elderly and vulnerable clients.
With experienced private client teams in both Lancaster and Preston, BSG Solicitors continues to support families across Lancashire in putting clear and effective estate planning arrangements in place.
