PEOPLE in Wales are more likely than anywhere else in the UK to have witnessed family disputes over inheritance, according to new research.

A YouGov survey carried out for wealth management and employee benefits firm Mattioli Woods found that 77 per cent of over-55s in Wales had seen inheritance-related disputes among relatives or friends.

That was the highest figure recorded across the UK, ahead of London at 72 per cent, the South East at 71 per cent, the South West at 70 per cent, Scotland at 69 per cent and Yorkshire at 64 per cent.

Despite this, most over-55s still intend to pass on wealth through traditional inheritance after death, rather than gifting the majority of their assets during their lifetime.

The research found that 64 per cent of over-55s across the UK had witnessed family conflict over inheritance, with arguments and damaged relationships the most common outcomes. In some cases, disagreements had escalated into formal legal disputes.

However, the experience of seeing such disputes does not appear to be prompting a major shift towards lifetime gifting. Passing assets on through an estate remains the preferred option for most over-55s, while a combination of lifetime gifts and inheritance was the second most popular approach. Only a minority said they intended to transfer most of their wealth before they died.

The survey also suggests many families are still reluctant to talk openly about inheritance. One in four over-55s said they had never discussed inheritance with their family.

Researchers said this may reflect discomfort around the subject, concerns over privacy, or a belief that it is simply too early to have the conversation.

The findings also show that worries about later-life care are now outweighing concerns about Inheritance Tax. When asked about the biggest challenges in passing on wealth, over-55s ranked paying for care or other later-life costs ahead of Inheritance Tax, the risk of running out of money in retirement, treating beneficiaries fairly and the possibility of family disputes.

Adeline Christy, Wealth Management Director at Mattioli Woods, said: “Although inheritance disputes are remarkably common, they are not fundamentally changing how most people want to pass on their wealth.

“Leaving assets through an estate remains the preferred approach for many families, even among those who have seen first-hand the tensions inheritance can create.

“What the findings do highlight is the need for earlier planning and better communication. Many inheritance disputes arise not because of the value of an estate, but because expectations have never been discussed.

“Open conversations, supported by professional financial advice, can help families understand the reasoning behind decisions and significantly reduce the likelihood of conflict later on.”

Mattioli Woods recently integrated Kingswood Group under a unified brand, following its October 2025 merger.

The combined business now oversees more than 30,000 clients and is responsible for assets under management exceeding £32 billion.

With more than 200 financial advisers across more than 40 UK offices, the group says the integration strengthens its position as a national wealth manager and enhances its ability to deliver joined-up wealth planning, investment management and employee benefits services.

Ms Christy added: “There is no single right way to pass on wealth. Lifetime gifting can be an effective strategy for some families, helping to support the next generation while potentially improving tax efficiency.

“For others, retaining control of assets throughout later life will be entirely appropriate. The most important thing is that any approach forms part of a long-term financial plan that reflects personal circumstances, family dynamics and future objectives.”

HUNDREDS of thousands of young people are being urged to check whether they are entitled to forgotten savings held in Child Trust Fund accounts.

The UK Government has launched a new drive to reunite young adults with more than £1.6bn in unclaimed savings, with more than 750,000 matured accounts still unclaimed.

Child Trust Funds were set up for children born between September 1, 2002, and January 2, 2011, with Government payments made into accounts to give young people a financial asset when they reached adulthood.

Around 6.3 million accounts were opened, mostly by parents or guardians, with some set up directly by HMRC where no account was opened.

The average unclaimed account is worth around £2,200.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury Rachel Blake MP has now convened a new Child Trust Fund Taskforce, bringing together government and providers to improve tracing and encourage more young people to access their money.

Members include OneFamily, Coutts, Nationwide, HSBC UK, Pilling, The Coventry, Sheffield Mutual, Unity Mutual, Forester, Healthy Investments and The Share Foundation.

Ms Blake said: “Too many young people are missing out simply because they are not aware of where their Child Trust Fund is or how to access it.

“We are acting to fix that by bringing government and industry together, improving coordination and making it easier for people to find and claim what’s rightfully theirs.”

HMRC chief executive JP Marks said many young people had an average of £2,200 waiting to be claimed.

He said: “This is their money, and we want to do all we can to help them find and access it.

“If you think you have one, you can use the Find my Child Trust Fund tool on GOV.UK to find out where your account is held.”

Accounts began maturing on September 1, 2020, when the oldest eligible young people turned 18.

Anyone born between September 1, 2002, and January 2, 2011, can search for their account for free on GOV.UK using their National Insurance number.

Those aged 18 or over can access the funds immediately.

INFLATION is normal, but it can have a huge impact on investments, so it’s essential that Welsh investors understand how their portfolios may be affected. By taking the right precautions, investors can protect their investment portfolios and maintain their long-term financial goals even during times of economic uncertainty. 

With that in mind, here’s how inflation can affect investment portfolios and what Welsh investors can do to protect them. 

How Inflation Affects Investment Portfolios 

Inflation can have an impact on investment portfolios in multiple ways, primarily: 

• Higher returns are required – as inflation reduces the value of money, investments have to generate higher returns to compensate. Although every asset is affected differently. For instance, property investments may be more resistant to rising costs, whereas cash savings may lose value if interest rates fail to keep up with inflation. 
• Markets can be volatile – changing inflation conditions can create market volatility, which can influence things like bond prices and company valuations. 

How to Manage Risks During Economic Uncertainty

Here are a few things you can do to manage the risks that come with changing conditions. 

Diversify Your Assets 

Diversification is one of the most effective ways to manage investment risks. Concentrating on just one investment can put you at risk if that asset is significantly impacted by inflation or market conditions. By spreading your investment across a variety of assets instead, all hope isn’t lost for your entire portfolio even if one area performs poorly. 

Many investors opt for strategies like spread betting to profit from market price changes without owning the actual assets, although this is often riskier. 

Think Long-Term 

Markets tend to fluctuate during challenging economic periods or uncertainty. And many people respond by making emotional decisions based on current environments, despite the fact these can change in an instant. It’s important for investors to ride out temporary volatility and focus on a clear long-term investment strategy instead. 

Review Your Portfolio Regularly 

When it comes to investing, it’s all about balancing what’s comfortable when it comes to risk and reward, and this is unique to each individual. You should be reviewing your portfolio frequently, especially when conditions aren’t steady, to ensure your rewards are still worth the risk.  

Securing Your Investments is Critical 

By diversifying assets, thinking long-term, and regularly assessing your portfolio, you can better protect your investments even during times of economic uncertainty, inflation, and market volatility.