Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by tanya

Undue Influence in Lockdown Wills

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings over 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

Why Pandemic Wills Are Now Being Challenged Across England & Wales

The Covid lockdown changed how people lived, worked, and connected, but it also changed how people made wills – with concerns now being raised by families over undue influence during lockdown. As contentious probate claims continue to rise, undue influence is a key factor in many claims. During lockdown, the risk of undue influence may have also played a role as people were more vulnerable to pressure.

So, for families who believe a loved one who made a will during the pandemic and may have been manipulated or coerced, we explain what defines undue influence, how it can affect the validity of a will and what steps to take next to pursue a contentious probate claim.

 

Why Lockdown Created More Opportunities for Undue Influence

Undue influence happens when someone uses pressure, manipulation, or coercion to make a person change their will in a way that benefits them. During lockdown, there were several factors which could have made people more susceptible:

Isolation From Family and Friends

Shielding rules meant many elderly or medically vulnerable people spent months without face‑to‑face contact with their usual support network. Without regular visits, phone calls, or social interaction, they became more dependent on whoever was physically present, which could have been a single family member, neighbour, or carer.

Such isolation can a scenario where influence could be applied quietly and without challenge.

 

Increased Reliance on Carers and Neighbours

Many people relied on carers for food, medication, and daily support and in some cases, carers became the only people the testator saw regularly. This shift in dependency created situations where a carer could:

• Suggest changes to a will
• Discourage contact with other family members
• Present themselves as indispensable
• Influence decisions through emotional pressure

 

Reduced Solicitor Supervision

Solicitors worked remotely during lockdown, and many clients made wills without in‑person advice. Unfortunately, without a solicitor present, it became easier for someone to apply pressure behind the scenes. This reduced supervision meant:

• Capacity assessments were harder
• Instructions were taken over the phone
• Solicitors could not observe family dynamics
• Suspicious behaviour was less likely to be detected

 

Last‑Minute Will Changes

Lockdown created a lot of fear and uncertainty. As a result many people changed their wills quickly. A BBC report highlighted that solicitors in the UK saw “a spike in the number of people seeking to make or update that wills”. This could have been as people faced their own mortality in the face of a pandemic, as well as having time to get their affairs in order.

 

We analysed our recent call data over a period of three months, which highlighted recurring circumstances included:- a previously favour child being excluded, one sibling suddenly receiving everything, a carer or cleaner being left with the whole estate or a new partner receiving the estate. It goes to follow that conditions such as isolation or fear during the pandemic could have increased influence over a testator.

 

How Undue Influence Affects the Validity of a Will

A will is only valid if it reflects the free and independent wishes of the person making it. Therefore, if someone applied pressure, the will can be challenged.

 

1. What Counts as Undue Influence?

Undue influence does not require physical force. It can include:

• Emotional pressure
• Manipulation
• Threats
• Controlling access to visitors
• Withholding care or support
• Exploiting vulnerability
• Isolating the testator from family

 

2. Why Lockdown Wills Are Being Challenged More Often

Combined with vulnerability and dependency which would have been heightened during lockdown, families are now discovering wills that:

• Favour one person unexpectedly
• Exclude close relatives without explanation
• Were changed shortly before death
• Were drafted during periods of isolation
• Were witnessed remotely or without supervision

 

3. Red Flags Solicitors May Look For In Lockdown Wills

Below are the indicators contentious probate solicitors look for when assessing a claim:

 

• Unexpected changes: A sudden shift in beneficiaries during lockdown.
• Isolation from family: Limited contact with relatives due to shielding.
• Dependency on one person: A carer or neighbour becoming the testator’s main support.
• Rushed instructions: Quick changes made during illness or fear.
• Lack of solicitor involvement: Remote drafting without proper oversight.
• Suspicious circumstances: Beneficiaries arranging the will or being present during instructions.
• Exclusion of close family: Removing long‑standing beneficiaries without clear reasoning.

These signs do not prove undue influence on their own, but together they create a strong foundation for a challenge.

 

4. How The Covid Pandemic May Have Increased Undue Influence Claims Today

Contentious probate solicitors across Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Leeds, Bristol, and Cardiff were aware of the sudden rise in wills being made during lockdown and which is now coming to the fore today because:

 

• More people made wills without legal advice.
• Vulnerable individuals were isolated.
• Carers and neighbours had more access than family.
• Remote witnessing made supervision difficult.
• Families only discovered suspicious changes after death.

 

How to Challenge a Will Suspected of Undue Influence

If you believe a loved one was pressured into changing their will during lockdown, early action is essential. Undue influence claims rely heavily on evidence, and the longer you wait to act, the harder it becomes to gather the necessary evidence. Therefore, the key steps are:

 

• Request a copy of the will: Start by reviewing the changes.
• Secure medical records: These help assess vulnerability and capacity.
• Gather witness statements: Especially from carers, neighbours, or anyone present.
• Collect correspondence: Emails and notes reveal how instructions were taken.
• Identify suspicious behaviour: Any evidence of pressure or isolation.
• Speak to a contentious probate solicitor: They can assess the strength of your claim.

Acting quickly also prevents the estate from being distributed before the dispute is resolved.

 

Why Early Legal Advice Matters

Undue influence claims are complex because they require careful analysis of:

 

• Family dynamics
• Medical vulnerability
• Dependency
• Behaviour during lockdown
• The circumstances surrounding the will

We partner with contentious probate solicitors who can help you build a strong case by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preventing executors from progressing probate until the dispute is resolved.

They offer a free, initial consultation with no-obligation to assess your situation, giving you a clearer understanding of your position before deciding on next steps.

 

How We Can Help

Lockdown created conditions where undue influence became more likely. As estates from the pandemic period now reach probate, families across England and Wales are discovering wills that may not reflect their loved one’s true wishes.

If you suspect a will was changed under pressure, early advice can make all the difference.

We work with experienced contentious probate law firms that offer a range of funding options, including ‘No Win, No Fee’ arrangements and other flexible fee structures.

📞 Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online to arrange your free consultation.