Demand for wills, probate, and estate-planning services is rising steadily as the UK’s ageing population and increasingly complex family structures reshape the private client landscape. High street practices are seeing sustained growth in instructions, with clients seeking clarity, security, and expert guidance on managing their affairs in later life.

Ageing Population Driving Increased Demand
People are living longer and often managing more complex health and financial needs. As a result, more families require assistance with:
• Wills and regular updates
• Lasting Powers of Attorney for health and financial decisions
• Court of Protection applications where a person loses capacity
• Planning for long-term care and asset protection
Awareness of the risks of not planning early — such as disputes, financial vulnerability, or loss of capacity — has led to a consistent rise in private client enquiries.

Inheritance Structures Becoming More Complex
Modern estates often require more sophisticated advice. Complexity is increasing due to:
Blended families
Second marriages and stepchildren raise challenging inheritance questions and heighten the risk of disputes.
Higher asset values
Property prices and lifetime savings mean more estates now require careful inheritance tax planning.
Diverse assets
Clients may own rental property, business interests, pensions, investments, or digital assets, each requiring tailored advice.
Lifetime gifting and trusts
More families are using gifting strategies or trusts to mitigate tax, adding further administrative complexity to probate.

Rise in Family Disputes and Contentious Probate
As estates grow more complicated, disagreements among beneficiaries are increasing. Common issues include:
• Challenges from children of different relationships
• Claims under the Inheritance Act 1975
• Allegations of undue influence or lack of capacity
• Disputes arising from homemade or outdated wills
These matters require specialist advice and highlight the importance of proper planning.

Opportunities and Challenges for High Street Firms
Opportunities
• Consistent demand for wills, LPAs, and probate services
• Growth in high-value estates needing tax and succession planning
• Increased contentious probate work
Challenges
• Managing rising caseloads and client expectations
• Keeping pace with tax, trust, and digital-asset developments
• Balancing fixed-fee expectations with complex work

Conclusion
The combination of an ageing population and more intricate inheritance arrangements is driving a significant rise in private client work. For individuals, early and well-planned estate arrangements are essential. For law firms, this area presents a stable and expanding opportunity — provided they invest in expertise, clear communication, and efficient case management.