A will is actually supposed to provide clarity. But in practice, the opposite often happens: outdated wording, sensitive data or unclear responsibilities often lead to family disputes or legal problems after death.

According to a study by Deutsche Bank, only around 35 percent of potential testators in Germany have written a will. The proportion is particularly low among younger people: among under 50 year olds it is only around eleven percent.

In the USA Even fewer people have settled their estate. According to the platform Caring.com Less than a quarter of Americans have a will. And even for those who do own one, individual passages are often outdated or worded impractically.

Estate experts say opposite British “The Independent” three typical mistakes that repeatedly cause problems in wills and that many people would be better off eliminating or rethinking. These tips can also be helpful for Germans, as many conflicts arise for very similar reasons.

1. Do not write sensitive data in the will

A common mistake: Some people write account numbers, credit card details or other sensitive information directly into their will.

That can be risky. In many countries – such as Germany – a will is made after the death of Probate court opened. This allows several parties involved to view the document. Depending on the situation, more people can have access to the documents.

The lawyer Jaclyn Roberson therefore advises caution: It is better to document sensitive information separately or store it securely – for example in a list for the heirs or with a trusted person. A similar principle applies to German wills: the less sensitive data is contained, the lower the risk of misuse or identity theft.

2. Too many executors can cause disputes

Another common mistake is to appoint too many people to handle the estate.

Many parents, for example, appoint several children together as executors – out of fear of hurting someone else. But this is exactly what can lead to conflicts later. “If several people have to make decisions at the same time, the process quickly becomes complicated,” explains lawyer Nathan Wente.

The more people involved, the greater the risk of disagreements. In addition, additional votes can delay the procedure and sometimes even cause additional costs. Experts therefore often recommend naming only one person as the main person responsible and, if necessary, appointing a replacement person.

3. Symbolic amounts of money can trigger lawsuits

Even well-intentioned gestures can create problems. Some people only leave an unloved relative a very small amount in their will – around 10 or 100 euros. The idea behind it: The person should not go away completely empty-handed so that there is no argument.

But that can have the opposite effect. If someone is mentioned in the will or only given a symbolic amount, this can lead to Compulsory share claims are examined or disputes are triggered.

Estate expert Allison Harrison therefore advises making clear decisions. If you really want to exclude someone, you should formulate this clearly and – if possible – give reasons.

Check your will regularly

Lawyers also recommend checking a will regularly. Life events can quickly mean that old rules no longer fit.

Typical reasons for an update are:

• Birth of a child or grandchild
• Divorce or new partnership
• Death of an heir
• major changes in wealth
• Moving to another country

If you only write your will once and don’t touch it again for decades, you risk that your wishes will no longer be properly implemented later.