Top 5 Inheritances Most Likely to Cause Conflicts: Real Estate Ranks First! Survey of Heirs Aged 45-70 by Tokyo Shinjuku Law Office

Law Firm Tokyo Shinjuku Law Office (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Tokuro Nakamura, member of the Daini Tokyo Bar Association) conducted a survey from April 13 to April 16, 2026, targeting individuals aged 45 and over who have been involved as heirs and have experienced conflicts during estate division regarding 'Assets Likely to Cause Conflicts.' Inheritance disputes manifest not only based on the total value of the estate but also in the specific scenarios of how to divide each asset. In particular, assets that are difficult to divide, such as real estate, or those where fairness is scrutinized, such as savings, are likely to create gaps in perception among relatives. This survey was conducted to understand the assets that tend to be points of contention and to identify hints for resolution and prevention from the perspective of those who have actually experienced conflicts. - Real estate was the most common target of conflict (67.7%), followed by savings and cash (59.3%). - The most common reason for conflict was 'difficulty in dividing' (26.0%), followed by 'valuation' (14.0%). - The most common response after a conflict was 'discussions among family/relatives' (49.0%), followed by 'consulting a professional' (40.3%). - 'Amicable resolution with everyone satisfied' stayed at only 24.3%, while 75.7% resulted in lingering issues. - Looking back, 'creating a will' (25.7%), 'early consultation with experts' (23.3%), and 'pre-death family dialogue' (23.0%) were at the top. Target of conflict: Real estate (67.7%) was the highest, followed by savings/cash (59.3%). Among assets where opinions clashed during division, 'real estate (home, land, investment property, etc.)' was the most frequent at 67.7%, followed by 'savings/cash' at 59.3%. Others included 'securities' (21.3%), 'life insurance/retirement benefits' (14.3%), and 'business assets' (3.7%). The top two items stand out significantly. Most common reason for conflict: 'Difficulty in dividing' (26.0%), followed by 'valuation' (14.0%). The top reason for conflict was that the asset was 'difficult to divide' (26.0%). This was followed by 'divided opinions on valuation' (14.0%) and 'conflicts over who would use or live in it' (12.7%). Disputes arise not just from the presence of assets, but from the difficulty of splitting them and differences in perception regarding fairness and continued use. Response after conflict: 'Discussions among family/relatives' (49.0%) was the most common, followed by 'consulting an expert' (40.3%). Many found it difficult to organize the situation among themselves, with 40.3% consulting professionals like lawyers, scriveners, or tax accountants. Meanwhile, 11.3% said they 'did nothing in particular (left it as is).' 'Amicable resolution with everyone satisfied' was only 24.3%, while 75.7% left issues. The result of actions taken was that only 24.3% 'solved it amicably with everyone's satisfaction.' The most common result was 'solved somehow with some people unsatisfied' (29.0%), while 'took time but finally settled' (17.3%) and 'solved with worsened family relationships' (17.3%) were also notable. Things that should have been done beforehand: 'Will creation' (25.7%), 'early expert consultation' (23.3%), and 'family dialogue' (23.0%). Reflecting on what should have been done, the top response was 'the deceased should have created a will while alive' (25.7%), followed by 'should have consulted an expert at an early stage' (23.3%) and 'should have talked thoroughly with the family about inheritance while still alive' (23.0%). Summary: Real estate and savings topped the list of assets prone to conflict. The reasons include difficulty in division and differing views on valuation. While family discussion is central, 40% consulted experts, showing that many cases are too complex for individuals to handle alone.