One in 10 people in the UK have fallen out with a family member over an inheritance, a survey conducted by finance company Scottish Widows has found.
 
Most of the arguments are between brother and sister, with 42% never speaking to each other again after the dispute, and with money being the prime cause of any disagreements. Around 20% of arguments stemmed from claims the estate had been unfairly divided.
 
About 10% of those people with a will said they had drawn one up to ensure their estate did not go to someone they did not like, and 5% of rows happened when people did not receive an item that had been verbally promised to them.
 
“This is always a very emotional issue and feelings run high,” said financial adviser Martin Cunningham.
 
“However, a will does represent a legal way of ensuring what you bequeath goes to the right person, whatever the feelings of those left behind.”