Number of £1m+ estates left without a will more than doubles
Official figures show wealthy Britons dying without a will has surged in two years, adding delay and tax risk for families.
Freedom of Information data obtained by Co-op Legal Services from the Ministry of Justice shows a sharp rise in large estates left without a will. In 2025, 781 estates worth more than £1 million had no will in place when the owner died, more than double the 332 recorded in 2023, according to figures reported by The Telegraph.
Estates above £1 million are likely to fall within the 40% inheritance tax band on anything above the available allowances. Without a will, families must apply for a grant of letters of administration under intestacy rules, rather than a straightforward grant of probate. Assets are typically frozen until inheritance tax, debts and other costs are settled, a process that can drag on and add legal fees at an already difficult time.
David Fenwick of Co-op Legal Services says rising property prices and savings values mean many people simply underestimate what they are worth, and put off writing a will as a result.
Based on reporting by Express.co.uk (1 August 2026), drawing on Ministry of Justice data reported by The Telegraph. Information only, not advice.
Information only. This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice, and not a personal recommendation. Tax rules depend on your individual circumstances and can change. Please speak to a qualified, FCA-regulated adviser or a solicitor before acting.