The recent ECHR decision concerning whether a trans man who gave birth could be recorded as a child’s father rather than mother is a reminder of a much wider issue.

Family life is changing faster than many legal forms can keep up.

Death creates an immediate need for decisions. The house still needs securing. Utility bills continue to arrive. Businesses continue trading. Employees still expect to be paid. Insurance must remain in force. Care fees continue. Bank accounts may become frozen. Family members need guidance. None of this waits for a Grant of Probate.

The Government has launched a major consultation into cohabitation law reform, examining some of the biggest proposed changes to family law in decades.

The consultation considers whether cohabiting couples should receive greater legal protections on separation and death, reflecting the fact that around 3.5 million people in the UK now live in cohabiting relationships.

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding inheritance disputes is that claims are only brought by people facing financial hardship. A recent article examining Inheritance Act claims in high-net-worth estates highlights that this is increasingly not the case.

Over the weekend, I read another article highlighting a family who felt let down after implementing a "Family Protection Trust." The piece focused on the trust itself, the fees paid, and the eventual inheritance tax bill. As is often the case, the headline suggested the trust had failed.

There is no doubt that the probate system has improved significantly over recent years.

Digital applications, online tracking and increased investment have all helped reduce average processing times. On paper, the direction of travel appears positive. Yet despite these improvements, many families are still experiencing significant delays, uncertainty and financial pressure at precisely the moment they are least equipped to deal with it.

New research suggests that delays in estate planning could cost UK families billions of pounds in avoidable inheritance tax over the coming years.

New research published by IRN Legal Reports suggests that consumer behaviour within the wills and probate sector is changing rapidly.

The Wills & Probate Consumer Research 2026 report found that client loyalty is declining, while comparison websites and independent review platforms are becoming increasingly influential in the way consumers choose estate planning services.

A recent High Court ruling involving a £1.7 million family dispute serves as a stark reminder that estate planning is not simply about drafting documents. It is equally about governance, oversight and ensuring that those entrusted with responsibility exercise it properly.