This just in - food for thought?
Research, conducted by YouGov for Scottish Widows, reveals that 1 in 4 families(*) have fallen out over the contents of a will, with a staggering 42% of siblings never speaking again. It also reveals that women are more likely to hold a grudge than men with 46% (compared to 36%) of women falling out with brothers and sisters permanently.
When it comes to dividing of an estate, money is by far the biggest sticking point for families, with 35% of all rows being over the cold hard cash. 1 in 5 (20%) think the estate was divided unfairly, 12% felt they deserved more cash, while 5% contested that they were verbally promised an item that wasn't then left to them.
Psychologist Donna Dawson, reveals that family rows over inheritance is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence; "Money is a very emotional issue, and never more so than at the time of a family member's death when feelings are running high and old jealousies resurface. Often for those family members left behind, primitive tribal feelings will come to the fore. This is especially true of step-brothers and sisters where 'blood' relatives will feel more entitled to cash than those related by marriage."
Almost two thirds (60%) of people have yet to make a will, and it seems that only something life changing such as illness (49%) a serious accident (38%) or having kids (28%) will prompt those who haven't to finally take action. A staggering 16% have no intention of ever making one.
Anne Young, tax expert at Scottish Widows comments, "The research reveals a general misconception that making a will should only be done when the person making it has substantial wealth to leave. It is true that the bigger the estate, the more complex the division of it will be however, a will isn't just about the estate. It can prevent arguments over who'll look after children right down to the divvying up of items that may be of little monetary value but which could cause unnecessary upset if fought over by those left behind."
YouGov questioned a representative 2,294 people between 28-31st October 2005 and further statistics include the following:-
51% of those not planning to make a will don't think they'll leave an inheritance when they die
1 in 5 people (20%) never speak to their mother again after a row over inheritance
12% of people argued over who received what due to a will not being in place
11% of people would make a will primarily to stop someone they don't like receiving any of their estate.
* According to the research 10% of adults have fallen out over a will which equates to 4,420,000 people. There are 17 million families in the UK (source ONS). Therefore one in four families have fallen out over money.
Research, conducted by YouGov for Scottish Widows, reveals that 1 in 4 families(*) have fallen out over the contents of a will, with a staggering 42% of siblings never speaking again. It also reveals that women are more likely to hold a grudge than men with 46% (compared to 36%) of women falling out with brothers and sisters permanently.
When it comes to dividing of an estate, money is by far the biggest sticking point for families, with 35% of all rows being over the cold hard cash. 1 in 5 (20%) think the estate was divided unfairly, 12% felt they deserved more cash, while 5% contested that they were verbally promised an item that wasn't then left to them.
Psychologist Donna Dawson, reveals that family rows over inheritance is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence; "Money is a very emotional issue, and never more so than at the time of a family member's death when feelings are running high and old jealousies resurface. Often for those family members left behind, primitive tribal feelings will come to the fore. This is especially true of step-brothers and sisters where 'blood' relatives will feel more entitled to cash than those related by marriage."
Almost two thirds (60%) of people have yet to make a will, and it seems that only something life changing such as illness (49%) a serious accident (38%) or having kids (28%) will prompt those who haven't to finally take action. A staggering 16% have no intention of ever making one.
Anne Young, tax expert at Scottish Widows comments, "The research reveals a general misconception that making a will should only be done when the person making it has substantial wealth to leave. It is true that the bigger the estate, the more complex the division of it will be however, a will isn't just about the estate. It can prevent arguments over who'll look after children right down to the divvying up of items that may be of little monetary value but which could cause unnecessary upset if fought over by those left behind."
YouGov questioned a representative 2,294 people between 28-31st October 2005 and further statistics include the following:-
51% of those not planning to make a will don't think they'll leave an inheritance when they die
1 in 5 people (20%) never speak to their mother again after a row over inheritance
12% of people argued over who received what due to a will not being in place
11% of people would make a will primarily to stop someone they don't like receiving any of their estate.
* According to the research 10% of adults have fallen out over a will which equates to 4,420,000 people. There are 17 million families in the UK (source ONS). Therefore one in four families have fallen out over money.
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