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Insights on inheritance, probate and trust disputes
Case commentary and practical writing on contested wills, Inheritance Act claims, estate administration, trusts and proprietary estoppel — and how mediation resolves them.
Series
Inheritance Wars
Inheritance Wars examines real disputes over wills, estates, trusts and family property which have reached the courts — and asks what they can teach us about resolving inheritance disputes through mediation.
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50 articles
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: when caring for a parent becomes a £127,500 claim against the estate
A daughter recovered £127,500 for caring for her mother. What does Rogers v Wills mean for care agreements, inheritance and mediation?
Peter Causton, Barrister and Mediator · 26 October 2026 · 8 min read
Mediation & ADR
The Courage to Mediate an Inheritance Dispute: When It’s About More Than Money
Why do inheritance disputes become so personal? Explore the psychology of family grievances, fairness, recognition and probate mediation.
ProMediate · 9 October 2026 · 8 min read
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: £10 Million, Eight Years — and an Estate Still Waiting to Be Distributed
More than eight years after mountaineer Paul Samuel died, his reported £10m estate remains under administration and the parties are back in the High Court. Could mediation help break an executor and trustee deadlock?
Peter Causton · 26 September 2026 · 8 min read
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: “Don’t You Trust Your Father?” — The Farm Promise That Lasted 35 Years
For more than 35 years Richard Armstrong was promised the family farm. After surrendering an inheritance worth well over £1 million, his father changed his will. The High Court considered proprietary estoppel in Armstrong v Armstrong.
Peter Causton · 24 September 2026 · 13 min read
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: Five Children — and the Will That Left Everything to One Son
William Oliver’s longstanding wills divided his estate between his children. After his wife’s death a new will effectively favoured one son. In Oliver v Oliver [2024] EWHC 2289 (Ch), the High Court found lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence.
Peter Causton · 24 September 2026 · 14 min read
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: When a Family Dispute Continues Beyond Death
The High Court’s decision in Ofori-Kuma v Fordjor shows how grief, family relationships and cultural beliefs can collide after a death — and why early mediation may help families resolve sensitive probate disputes.
Peter Causton · 9 September 2026 · 12 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Solicitor, the Forged Will — and the Daughter Left With Nothing
A solicitor's supposed final will left his only daughter nothing and another man everything. The High Court held the disputed will was not genuine.
Peter Causton · 1 July 2025 · 18 min read
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: Ten Children, a Family Home — and a Box Full of Gold
Ten siblings spent more than a decade disputing their mother's estate, including family loans, a mortgage, rent and a safe-deposit box of gold jewellery. Kaur v Kaur [2025] EWHC 2806 (Ch).
Peter Causton · 3 November 2025 · 19 min read
Inheritance Act
Inheritance Wars: The £38.5 Million Estate, the Patek Philippe and the Claim That Came Four Years Too Late
A man who said he had been treated as a son sought around £5m from a £38.5m estate, including a South Kensington flat, classic Mercedes and luxury watch. But his Inheritance Act claim was more than four years late.
Peter Causton · 9 March 2026 · 17 min read
Inheritance Act
Inheritance Wars: His Partner Said They Lived Together — His Children Said She Was Only His Tenant
After being left nothing, an unmarried partner claimed against an estate stated at just under £1.4m. Jassal v Shah turned on where the couple lived and later generated an appeal over £140,000 plus VAT in litigation costs.
Peter Causton · 6 September 2026 · 17 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: Their Father Died First — Then Grandad’s New Will Left Them £50 Each
Five granddaughters challenged their grandfather’s later will after it replaced the share their late father would have received with £50 legacies. Gowing v Ward and the risks of a changed family will.
Peter Causton · 6 September 2026 · 16 min read
Property & Estoppel
Inheritance Wars: The Farmer With Dementia, the Son Who Died — and the 58 Acres That Changed Hands
A Welsh farmer with cognitive impairment changed his will after his son's death. Hughes v Pritchard reached the Court of Appeal over testamentary capacity and a longstanding promise of farmland.
Peter Causton · 6 September 2026 · 17 min read
Inheritance Act
Inheritance Wars: 66 Years of Marriage — and Her Husband Left Everything to the Sons
After 66 years of marriage, Harbans Kaur's husband left his estate solely to their sons. She successfully claimed 50% under the Inheritance Act 1975.
Peter Causton · 6 September 2026 · 14 min read
Mediation & ADR
Inheritance Wars: What Can Mediation Do That a Judge Cannot?
A judge decides the legal issues put before the court. Mediation asks what arrangement could actually resolve the dispute — drawing on the family farms, family homes, charitable legacies and family businesses of the Inheritance Wars series.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 9 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The 95-Year-Old Mother, the Two Feuding Brothers and the House That Changed Hands
Jessica Schrader had capacity and knew what her 2006 will said, yet the High Court held it was procured by undue influence. Schrader v Schrader [2013] EWHC 466 (Ch) explained.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 15 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Mother Who Left Her £1 Million Farm to a Charity She Didn’t Even Like
Joyce Gill left her £1m-plus family farm to the RSPCA and excluded her only daughter. Gill v Woodall became a leading contested-will case on knowledge and approval and undue influence.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 16 min read
Property & Estoppel
Inheritance Wars: “One Day This Will All Be Yours” — When Expecting the Family Farm Isn’t Enough
A farmer's only son expected to inherit the family farm but lost claims based on proprietary estoppel and testamentary capacity. James v James shows why family expectations are not necessarily legal promises.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 15 min read
Property & Estoppel
Inheritance Wars: “That’s for My Death Duties” — The Farmer Who Promised a Farm Without Ever Quite Saying So
For nearly 30 years David Thorner worked unpaid on a relative’s farm believing he would inherit it. The farmer died intestate. Thorner v Major became a leading proprietary estoppel case.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 14 min read
Wills & Law Reform
Electronic Wills: Will Going Digital Stop Inheritance Disputes?
The Law Commission has proposed electronic wills for England and Wales. Could digital wills reduce probate disputes — or simply create new arguments about capacity, influence, identity and technology?
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 14 min read
Wills, Estates & Dispute Resolution
Can You Change a Will After Someone Has Died? How a Deed of Variation Can Solve an Inheritance Dispute
Beneficiaries can sometimes change how an estate is distributed after death using a deed of variation. We explain the two-year rule, inheritance tax, intestacy and how variations can help settle inheritance disputes.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 14 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Husband and Wife Who Signed Each Other’s Wills
A solicitor accidentally gave a husband and wife each other's mirror wills to sign. The mistake eventually reached the Supreme Court. Marley v Rawlings explains will rectification and the cost of a simple execution error.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 12 min read
Wills, Estates & Dispute Prevention
How Not to Start an Inheritance War: 10 Things You Can Do Before You Die
Make a will, keep it updated, explain unusual decisions, record your wishes and be careful with family promises. Ten practical ways to reduce the risk of an inheritance dispute — and why mediation should be considered if one has already begun.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 18 min read
Inheritance & Intestacy
When Your Parent Dies Without a Will: The Inheritance Battle Between a New Partner and the Children
What happens when a parent dies without a will leaving an unmarried partner and children from an earlier relationship? We explain the current intestacy rules, Inheritance Act claims and the Government’s proposed cohabitation reforms.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 15 min read
Property & Estoppel
Inheritance Wars: The £10 Million Promise by a Swimming Pool in Vietnam
A son-in-law said his parents-in-law promised him their multimillion-pound family business beside a swimming pool in Vietnam. The court rejected the claim. What does the Fabric Land dispute teach about proprietary estoppel?
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 13 min read
Inheritance Act
Inheritance Wars: The Father Who Reconciled With the Daughter He Had Cut Out of His Will — But Never Changed It
A father excluded his daughter after decades of estrangement, then reconciled with her but never changed his will. McDaniel v Talbot explains when an adult child may succeed under the Inheritance Act 1975.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 14 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Mother Who Believed Her Son Tried to Murder His Brother
A 93-year-old mother disinherited her son after believing he had tried to murder his brother. The High Court overturned the later will. The Dalton case shows how dementia, false beliefs and undue influence can collide in inheritance disputes.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 13 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars From the Archives: The Man Who Saw Devils — But Was Still Sane Enough to Make a Will
John Banks believed he was pursued by devils and persecuted by a dead man. Yet his will was valid. Discover how Banks v Goodfellow created the test for testamentary capacity still used today.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 14 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Tyre Millionaire, the Secret Will and the Four Children at War
Four children, a multimillion-pound family business, a secret later will and a four-week High Court trial. Bond v Webster shows why testamentary capacity and knowledge and approval matter in contested wills.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 15 min read
Joint Property
Inheritance Wars: The Husband and Wife Who Died Together — and the £300,000 Question of Who Died First
A husband and wife died at home and nobody knew who died first. Scarle v Scarle decided which family inherited their £300,000 joint assets using a little-known rule from 1925.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 13 min read
Inheritance Act
Inheritance Wars: “Lazy, Useless and Druggy” — The Daughter Her Father Deliberately Cut Out of a £1.4 Million Estate
Roger Howe deliberately excluded his only daughter from his £1.4m estate. She nevertheless received £125,000 under the Inheritance Act 1975. What does Howe v Howe tell us about estranged adult-child claims?
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 14 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The 92-Year-Old Who Tore Up Her Will on Her Deathbed
A 92-year-old woman tore up her will on her deathbed but was too weak to finish. Crew v Oakley considered whether the will was legally revoked and who inherited her £800,000 estate.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 12 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Daughter Who Cared for Her Mother — and the Three Brothers Who Said She Took Control of the Will
Rea v Rea involved a daughter who cared for her mother, three brothers challenging a will and allegations of undue influence. The Court of Appeal ultimately upheld the will.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 13 min read
Inheritance Act
Inheritance Wars: The Mother Who Left Her Daughter Nothing — and £486,000 to Animal Charities
Can an estranged adult child challenge a parent's will? Ilott v The Blue Cross is the leading Supreme Court case on adult-child claims under the Inheritance Act 1975.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 12 min read
Contested Wills
Inheritance Wars: The Harry Potter Books, the Disinherited Daughter and the £350,000 Estate
Clitheroe v Bond concerned a disinherited daughter, alleged delusions and a £350,000 estate. What does the case teach about testamentary capacity and probate mediation?
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 12 min read
Property & Estoppel
Inheritance Wars: “One Day This Will All Be Yours” — The Family Farm Promise That Ended in Court
Winter v Winter shows how promises about inheriting a family farm or business can override later testamentary arrangements through proprietary estoppel.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 10 min read
Research & Trends
Inheritance Disputes Are Rising: Probate Caveats Have Increased by Almost 80% Since 2010
Probate caveats in England and Wales increased from 6,358 in 2010 to 11,328 in 2025. We examine why inheritance disputes are rising and the role of mediation.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 12 min read
Contested Wills
The £200,000 Stamp Collection Sold for £1: When a Will Dispute Costs Almost as Much as the Estate
What Neate v Heselden teaches about contested wills, testamentary freedom, knowledge and approval, litigation costs and the role of probate mediation.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 9 min read
Probate & Estates
Inheritance Wars: The £5 Million Estate and a £490,000 Costs Bill
Fourteen years after a death, an estate said to be worth up to £5 million remained largely unadministered, declarations of trust were found to be shams and indemnity costs approaching £490,000 were ordered on account.
Peter Causton · 4 September 2026 · 9 min read
Cases & Commentary
“This case cries out for mediation”: Rogers v Wills and the cost of litigating family inheritance disputes
Two trials, a 2,038-page bundle, substantial costs and a family relationship left in ruins. Rogers v Wills is a powerful reminder that winning an inheritance dispute is not always the same as resolving it.
Peter Causton · 27 August 2026 · 9 min read
Property & Estoppel
When Family Property Disputes Reach the High Court: The Cost of Informal Trusts and Unclear Intentions
Bisiker v Bisiker [2026] EWHC 2070 (Ch) provides another stark illustration of the financial and personal risks of allowing disputes over family property, trusts and inheritance to proceed all the way to trial.
Peter Causton · 25 August 2026 · 10 min read
Probate & Estates
A Relationship “Riven with Conflict”: Key v Key, Occupation Rent and the Case for Mediating Estate Disputes
The High Court's recent decision in Key v Key (Property, Trusts and Probate List, Master Clark, judgment handed down 14 August 2026) provides a striking illustration of what can happen when the administration…
Peter Causton · 17 August 2026 · 10 min read
Mediation & ADR
Mediation a litmus test for capacity to litigate
What the High Court's decision in TLA v Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust reveals about the centrality of ADR in modern litigation — and how the ability to engage with mediation is now treated as part of capacity to litigate.
Peter Causton · 19 July 2026 · 6 min read
Cases & Commentary
The cost of disputing an inheritance
A recent report by The Independent highlights yet another example of how family disputes over wills and inheritances can escalate into financially and emotionally devastating litigation.
Peter Causton · 11 May 2026 · 4 min read
Property & Estoppel
Mediation advised in family property disputes
When families fall out about property, emotions run high and legal costs can spiral. A recent High Court decision shows how judges look at mediation and litigation conduct when deciding who pays the bill — and…
Peter Causton · 11 November 2025 · 2 min read
Mediation & ADR
When the Court orders a party to attend mediation
On 12 September 2025, in the Business and Property Courts at Bristol, His Honour Judge Paul Matthews handed down a judgment that is likely to be studied by both probate practitioners and mediators for some…
Peter Causton · 11 September 2025 · 6 min read
Contested Wills
Electronic Wills, Mutual Wills and the Rise of Inheritance Disputes: Why Mediation Matters More Than Ever
Significant reforms to the law of wills in England and Wales are under consideration following the publication of a major Law Commission report. The proposed changes, if implemented, are likely to reshape the…
Peter Causton · 16 May 2025 · 2 min read
Contested Wills
The Importance of Mediation and the Risks of a Homemade Will
A recent High Court case highlights the dangers of DIY wills and the devastating impact inheritance disputes can have on families. John Baverstock, won a £700,000 legal battle against his younger sister, Lisa,…
Peter Causton · 4 March 2025 · 3 min read
Contested Wills
Will disputes – we can arrange a mediation.
The law states that people can leave their estate to anyone they want. However, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, the court can override someone’s will if they failed to…
Peter Causton · 23 November 2024 · 5 min read
Inheritance Act
Resolving inheritance and will disputes through mediation
Inheritance disputes are on the rise, often creating financial strain and emotional turmoil. Fortunately, mediation offers a more effective way to resolve these conflicts without the prolonged and costly…
Peter Causton · 6 December 2024 · 4 min read
Contested Wills
Avoiding Inheritance Disputes. How will reforms to wills affect claims?
In the intricate landscape of contentious probate disputes, the surge in cases over recent years is evident in the frequent reports of families embroiled in conflicts over wills and inheritances. From…
Peter Causton · 12 November 2023 · 4 min read
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