Inheritance disputes in Australia are increasing in both frequency and complexity, as rising property values, an ageing population and changing family dynamics converge to magnify tensions over wills and estates.

Legal specialists and families alike describe a surge of contested wills, mediation breakdowns and courtroom battles that often leave relationships irrevocably damaged as assets become the focus of intense conflict.

This trend emerges against the backdrop of what experts term an unprecedented “great wealth transfer,” with trillions of dollars in assets expected to pass between generations in the coming decades, heightening expectations and stakes for beneficiaries.

Cases that would once have been handled quietly within families are now spilling into formal dispute resolution and courts, driven by a mix of unmet expectations, financial insecurity and deep-seated emotional wounds.

The allure of windfalls — frequently tied to expensive family homes and other property — has created what some legal professionals describe as “inheritance impatience,” where adult children and step-relatives pursue claims when faced with perceived unfairness or exclusion.

Blended family arrangements, second marriages and complex relationships further complicate estate outcomes, increasing the number of potential claimants and avenues for dispute.

Legal practitioners note that modern inheritance battles often involve contested mental capacity, informal promises or digital evidence such as texts and notes that may contradict formal wills.

State and territorial family provision laws — designed to protect widows, dependants and others who have been inadequately provided for — are being invoked more frequently, expanding the pool of eligible claimants and placing additional strain on courts and mediation services.

Even small estates can be subject to fierce contestation, with some disputes driven less by the value of assets and more by perceived entitlement and personal grievances.

While mediation remains mandatory in many jurisdictions and legal frameworks exist to discourage unmeritorious claims, experts warn that litigation costs and emotional harm can still devastate families.

Lawyers emphasise that proactive estate planning, clear communication and professional guidance are critical to reducing the risk of disputes, but caution that even well-drafted wills may not prevent conflict when expectations and relationships diverge.

The growing prevalence of inheritance disputes reflects broader social and economic pressures on Australian households, where property wealth plays an increasingly central role in financial security and intergenerational equity.