Sophia, a 67-year-old retired civil servant, eagerly anticipates welcoming her ten grandchildren for a relaxing barbecue and swim in the family pool in Cornwall every summer. Sophia, who is of Greek heritage, is affectionately known as Nona by all of her grandchildren, aged five to 22. However, not all of them are biologically related to her; some are the grandchildren of her partner David. Sophia’s husband passed away suddenly in 2010, and she found love again with David ten years ago. They moved into David’s home after only nine months of knowing each other.
Sophia values her estate, which includes two rental properties, at £600,000. Despite her love and affection for her step-grandchildren, she has made the decision not to leave them anything when she eventually passes away. Sophia treats them no differently from her biological grandchildren, spending the same amount on gifts and creating special memories with them. However, she made a promise to her late husband that their entire estate would go to their grandchildren.
She does admit to feeling guilty at times, considering the challenging financial circumstances many young people face today. The number of wills being contested is on the rise, according to consumer guide Which?, with one firm of solicitors reporting a 111 percent increase in inquiries about contested wills in a single year. Despite this, Sophia feels obligated to honor her late husband’s wishes.
Disputes over wills can cause conflict within families. A survey by Direct Line Insurance discovered that nearly a quarter of people would be willing to go to court to challenge a will if they disagreed with it. Dr. Marianne Trent, a chartered clinical psychologist and author, explains that unexpected wills left by matriarchal figures in families often cause the most problems. Money represents a certain lifestyle and security, which blended families become accustomed to, even if the funds don’t come from biological relatives. This can lead to long-lasting family rifts when some members feel excluded.
Sophia, who has three adult daughters, firmly believes that her plans for her estate are non-negotiable. Only David is aware of her wishes. She did not include her children in the will because she has already provided them with financial support, including assistance with home deposits and family vacations. Sophia sees leaving her estate to her grandchildren as her gift to them, as they have not yet reached the stage of property ownership. As for her step-grandchildren, Sophia does not plan to include them in her will. While she has neutral feelings towards the older step-grandchildren, she does care for and spend time with the younger ones.
Creating a will is usually a rational and unemotional decision, but emotions run high when it is read. People who have mentally anticipated receiving an inheritance can feel unworthy or excluded, leading to paranoia and suspicion. Sarah, a 74-year-old retired family doctor, faced a similar decision with her step-grandson. She ensured equal treatment of her biological grandson and step-grandson over the years. However, her step-grandson is not included in her will due to the strained relationship between his mother and Sarah’s daughter.
Sarah has discussed her decision with friends and sought legal advice before finalizing her will. Some people believe she should leave something to her step-grandson for the sake of peace. Despite this, Sarah feels her step-grandson does not think of her, as she rarely receives cards or acknowledgment from him. Additionally, she has witnessed his mistreatment of her daughter’s generosity.
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