A BRADFORD law firm owner has spoken of how the Covid-19 pandemic brought the importance of making a will into sharper focus. 

Ikhlas Ahmed, owner of the firm ‘WillInherit’ set up his business in 2019, specialising in inheritance planning.

Whilst the firm provides expert inheritance planning solutions to people both here and internationally, his team specialises in providing bespoke solutions for those who originate from South Asian, Arab and Muslim households in particular. 

The firm is based on Bradford’s Thornton Road but has a second office in Leeds.

Mr Ahmed’s journey began whilst studying law at university. Having seen bitter disputes arise within his community following the death of a loved one, he began researching the extent to which English law could accommodate faith and cultural wishes when it came to planning for death. 

Understanding the culture and background of his clientele, Mr Ahmed found that within these communities there was a distinct lack of understanding of the importance of making a will, its legal effect and the ability for Muslims to follow the Shariah and leave Islamic wills. 

Bring in the pandemic, where more people than ever were losing their lives and disputes among families over inheritance were causing significant financial and emotional costs.

Mr Ahmed said: “Nobody wants to gain from a terrible thing like the pandemic, but we saw a lot more people in need of our services when relatives passed away and they hadn’t left a will behind. 

“It’s important that a person has their affairs in order before they pass away, and often in South Asian communities there are a lot of undocumented arrangements.

“The family structure is slightly more complex and there are often multiple generations living in one household, and sometimes there are assets tied up in other countries.”

The company provides a unique specialism in understanding the cultural and religious matters that surround inheritance. 

Mr Ahmed added: “It’s important and we need to raise awareness because since Covid, I have seen a lot of families being torn apart over this and it can be easily solved if more people made a will.

“I think specialist services are needed, to help more people from these communities understand inheritance and its importance both religiously and in general society.” 

Willinherit is sponsoring the Yorkshire Asian Business Association Eid Dinner on May 5, where Mr Ahmed will be speaking about this subject in greater detail.