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Testamentary freedom in England and Wales allows parents to leave different shares to different children, but freedom is not the same as immunity from challenge. A defensible unequal will depends on reasons, records, communication and, sometimes, structures outside the will itself.
A will can say who receives what, but it cannot explain why, how decisions should be made or what a family expects of the next generation. A family legacy charter is not a substitute for legal documents; it is a record of values and expectations that can sit alongside them. In 2026, with wealth more varied and families more dispersed, that record is worth writing.
From 6 April 2027, unused pension funds and death benefits are due to be brought into the estate for inheritance tax purposes. For families and advisers reviewing plans in late 2026, the practical questions are less about headline rates and more about scheme rules, nominations and who ultimately receives the money.
Remarriage can quietly redraw the destination of a family’s wealth, often in ways that neither spouse intended. This guide examines why blended families need more than goodwill, and how wills, trusts and family conversations can protect children without creating unnecessary conflict.