Family is a fundamental social institution globally, providing social capital and shaping individual development through mechanisms like inheritance. However, rapid societal change has led to increased family conflict, with inheritance disputes representing a significant source. While Ethiopia has had family and inheritance laws since the 1960s, including revisions aimed at protecting marginalized groups, inheritance-induced disputes remain prevalent, becoming the second most common type of conflict after domestic violence in some areas. Existing research often emphasizes wealth transmission and intergenerational solidarity but neglects the conflictual aspects of inheritance. This study addresses this gap by investigating the nature of inheritance-related disputes in East Gojjam, north-west Ethiopia, examining familial ties involved, property types in dispute, legal-policy gaps, and aggravating socio-economic dynamics. The study aims to understand these disputes from the perspectives of litigants and legal professionals to inform strategies for conflict reduction.

The existing literature highlights the family's crucial role in social development and resource transmission. However, studies on inheritance in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa disproportionately focus on wealth transmission and gender inequality, neglecting the conflictual aspects. While existing research in Ethiopia examines ethnic, clan, and politically motivated conflicts, there's a dearth of studies on inheritance-induced family disputes and the perspectives of those involved. This study fills this gap by examining family court litigation related to inheritance, exploring legal professionals' and litigants' viewpoints on the prevalence and causes of these disputes, considering the interplay of legal frameworks, cultural norms, and socio-economic conditions.

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. The study area was East Gojjam, a zone in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, with a predominantly rural population relying on agriculture. Data was gathered from several sources. First, researchers analyzed 235 randomly selected closed court cases from 2020 involving inheritance disputes at the zonal court level. Second, surveys were conducted with 470 individuals (one plaintiff and one defendant from each of the 235 cases) to map familial ties involved and property types in dispute. Third, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 key informants (legal advisors and judges) and 18 disputants to gain a deeper understanding of the disputes, the legal-policy gaps, and the socio-economic dynamics at play. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies), while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The thematic analysis involved repeated listening to and transcribing audio recordings, identifying codes, and constructing themes that reflected the study objectives. These qualitative themes were then integrated with the quantitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem.

The study revealed that most inheritance disputes occurred between siblings (57.45% of cases) and between parents and children (17.45%). Disputes involving grandparents and grandchildren were less frequent. Farmland was the most common property at the center of disputes (77.87%), followed by houses, livestock, and family businesses. The study identified several legal and policy gaps contributing to the disputes: * **Inconvenient Statutory Inheritance Laws:** Unlimited time to claim inheritance rights, lack of a time limit for establishing child status, and the unrestricted cancellation of wills create ambiguity and opportunities for conflict. The frequent alteration of wills, particularly by aging parents, leads to disputes between siblings who may have provided varying levels of care and support. The lack of a time limit for claiming child status allows for claims even years after a parent's death, leading to protracted litigation and disputes, often involving questionable evidence. * **Incompatibility Between Statutory and Customary Inheritance Laws:** The coexistence of statutory law, which grants equal inheritance rights to all children, and customary law, which often favors sons, particularly those who provide long-term care, creates conflict. Disputants often strategically choose which legal framework to invoke to maximize their advantage. * **Limited Land Acquisition Opportunity:** The limited options for acquiring farmland (inheritance and gifts being the primary means) creates intense competition, particularly among landless younger generations, exacerbating tensions and disputes within families. The study also highlighted aggravating socio-economic dynamics: * **Improved Legal Consciousness:** Increased legal awareness among previously marginalized groups, while positive in principle, has led to greater assertion of rights, causing friction with traditional inheritance practices. * **Growing Corruption in the Justice System:** Corruption within the judicial system, including bribery and manipulation of evidence, undermines the fairness of the legal process and fuels conflict. False accusations and the manipulation of evidence, such as through false eyewitness testimonies, become viable strategies to gain advantage in disputes. * **Decline of Societal Values and Weakening Family Ties:** The erosion of traditional values and weakening emotional bonds within families, coupled with economic stress, contributes to a prioritization of individual economic interests over familial relationships.

The findings highlight the complex interplay of legal, cultural, and socio-economic factors fueling inheritance-induced family disputes in north-west Ethiopia. The legal-policy gaps identified create ambiguities and opportunities for manipulation, while socio-economic dynamics further exacerbate existing tensions. The prevalence of disputes centered on farmland underscores the critical role of land ownership in rural livelihoods and social status. The conflict between customary and statutory law highlights the challenges of legal reform in contexts with strong traditional practices. The high frequency of disputes between siblings and between parents and children indicates the intense pressures on family relationships due to limited resources and inheritance issues. The impact of corruption further undermines the ability of the legal system to provide fair and just resolutions.

This study demonstrates that inheritance disputes in north-west Ethiopia are driven by a complex interplay of legal inconsistencies, socio-economic pressures, and shifting cultural norms. Addressing these issues requires a multi-pronged approach. This includes revising conflict-provoking legal provisions, particularly those relating to the time limits for claiming inheritance and child status, as well as clarifying the relationship between customary and statutory inheritance laws. Strengthening the justice system, tackling corruption, and promoting family therapy are also vital steps. The privatization of farmland to broaden land acquisition opportunities would ease competition for land and potentially decrease disputes. Furthermore, promoting traditional values that reinforce family cohesion would help mitigate the negative impacts of shifting social norms.

This study focuses on a specific region in Ethiopia, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. While the sample size of court cases and interviews is substantial, it might not fully capture the diversity of experiences within the study area. The reliance on closed court cases may not fully represent all inheritance disputes, as some might be resolved informally outside the court system. Also, while efforts were made to ensure anonymity and confidentiality, potential biases associated with self-reported data cannot be entirely ruled out. Future research could explore the impact of regional variations in customary practices and investigate disputes resolved outside the formal legal system.