When Kyle* and Mason’s dad remarried and started a new family, it set in chain an unintended series of events that caused a family estrangement that lasted decades.

“While they might have known that dad was married to someone new, they weren’t having much contact because they had moved interstate,” says Equity Trustees estate manager Diana May.

During that time, their dad had another two sons, Max and Samuel, who never met their older half-brothers. When their father’s new relationship broke down after a few years, they also lost contact with their father.

“The little boys never met the older boys because the older boys weren't visiting dad in Adelaide. They were elsewhere – one was in New South Wales and one was in Melbourne.”

When their father became ill, his oldest son Mason returned home to look after him. When he passed away, his estate was left to all four brothers, but Mason had no contact details for his younger brothers Max and Samuel.

“The oldest brother had been looking for the two younger ones for years, but he didn't know anything about them except their first names. So that's what was on their father’s death certificate. Luckily, the surnames were reasonably unusual.”

It was enough to help with the search. Diana found a potential landline for Max, but it was disconnected. She then found a mobile number and left a message – Max returned the call.

Unfortunately his brother Samuel had passed away just a few years ago leaving the three brothers as remaining beneficiaries. But it opened the door to a new family connection which had never been given a chance to form when they were younger.

“I have spoken to all of them and they've all said that they will speak to each other,” Diana says.

Once they provide written confirmation of that wish, Equity Trustees will provide them all with each other’s contact information.

There are many varied reasons behind family estrangements, with about one in 25 Australian adults becoming estranged from their family at some point in their lives, according to research.

Equity Trustees tracks down many beneficiaries from estranged families, but not everyone wants to be reached, even when they are in line to inherit assets Diana says.

“There are complex emotional issues with some families.”

Sibling relationships break down for a range of complex reasons.

They vary from mismatched expectations about family roles and relationships, clashes of personality or values, emotional abuse, favouritism, or a traumatic family event, according to the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research.

* Name changed to protect privacy.