The final quarter of 2024 saw an all-time high in quarterly applications to block probate in England and Wales, research has found.

There were 3,061 applications to enter a caveat with the Probate Registry – the first time there have been over 3,000 applications in a single quarter, according to national law firm Taylor Rose.

It said this upward trend was likely to continue, driven by a mix of societal and demographic factors, including longer life expectancy, an increase in mental capacity issues, higher cost of living resulting in people relying on inheritance for their pension provision, more remarriages in later life and the consequences of poorly drafted DIY wills.

The data, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from HM Courts & Tribunals Service, showed there were 11,362 a

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