A New South Wales Supreme Court ruling has upheld a will that left an entire estate to one sibling, disinheriting three others. The case, which involved a father who changed his will shortly before his death, highlights a sharp rise in inheritance disputes across Australia as the 'great wealth transfer' accelerates.
Court data reveals a dramatic increase in contested wills: court-annexed mediations in succession cases rose from 104 in 2021 to 735 in 2025, while filings increased from 1,168 to 1,467 over the same period. Experts attribute the surge to soaring property prices, deepening inequality, and an ageing population holding $5.4tn in assets.
In the Sydney case, the three disinherited siblings—including a divorced woman in her late 50s who did not own property—challenged the will. Mediation failed, and they eventually settled out of court for a minority share. They have not spoken to the beneficiary sibling since. 'What value did we have, and what responsibility did he have towards us?' the woman asked.
Legal experts warn that blended families, dementia-related capacity issues, and 'inheritance impatience' are fuelling more complex and emotional disputes. 'It's a perfect storm where everyone is trying a different way to get their inheritance,' said Mary-Ann de Mestre, a succession law convener at Macquarie University.
The average Australian inheritance is $706,806, often received between ages 55 and 59, making it a critical factor in home ownership and financial security. However, as one lawyer noted, even small estates are being contested, driven by individual circumstances rather than asset size.
