A Third of People in the South West Have Never Discussed Inheritance

You probably have a rough idea of who gets what when a parent dies. Whether anyone has actually said it out loud is the harder part.

New research from Mattioli Woods, carried out by YouGov, suggests a lot of families across the South West are still avoiding the subject altogether. A third of people in the region say they have never openly discussed inheritance. And the reluctance runs deeper than most would assume.

The conversation people keep putting off

The survey points to a few familiar reasons people stay quiet. Money is treated as private. The topic feels uncomfortable. Or it simply does not feel relevant yet.

Among over-55s across the UK, a quarter say they have never openly discussed inheritance with their family. That is the group you might expect to have had the conversation by now. Many have not.

Younger people are not far behind. Among 45 to 54-year-olds, 35% say they have never had those conversations. The avoidance tends to start early and stick.

How the South West compares

Regionally, London is the most reluctant. 44% of Londoners of all ages say they have never discussed inheritance. The North West follows at 37%, then Scotland at 36%.

The South West sits in the middle of the pack at 34%, level with Yorkshire, Wales and the South East. The North East and West Midlands both record 33%, the East Midlands 32%, and Eastern England comes out as the most open at 30%.

So the South West is neither the worst nor the best. A third of people here keeping quiet about it is still a lot of unspoken plans.

A will, yes. The tax rules, less so.

Where the research gets more pointed is on what people actually know.

Most over-55s have the basics covered. 83% recognise the importance of a valid will, and 61% are aware of the seven-year gifting rule. That part is reassuring.

The gaps open up around tax. Only 15% of over-55s understand key Inheritance Tax allowances such as the nil rate band and the residence nil rate band. And just 35% are aware that pensions could become subject to Inheritance Tax from 6 April 2027.

That last figure is the one to sit with. A change to how pensions are treated is on the way, and roughly two in three people in the age group most affected do not yet know it is coming.

What it means for families

Amit Joshi, Managing Director of Wealth at Mattioli Woods, said the findings show a gap between what people expect to pass on and what they understand about doing it well.

“While most people recognise the importance of a will, far fewer understand the tax rules and allowances that can significantly impact what is ultimately passed on,” Amit said.

He added that delay tends to make things harder. “When these conversations are delayed, important financial and emotional decisions are often left until moments of stress or urgency, when it is harder to reflect clearly or act in a coordinated way. That can create uncertainty around intentions, increase the risk of disputes, and lead to avoidable delays in administering estates.”

Amit said the firm works with families to hold those discussions and document plans alongside legal and tax advisers, with the aim of passing on wealth as intended.

About the research

Mattioli Woods brought Kingswood Group under a single brand following a merger in October 2025. The combined business now looks after more than 30,000 clients and over £32 billion in assets under management, with more than 200 advisers across over 40 UK offices.