Inheritance issues !

@Troublesome3 I would get enough to probably take a holiday 😅 well that shows how little she thinks of you then doesnt it?

Your parents sound very sensible and have done what they think will be fair and most beneficial of their hard earned cash. Well done to them.

If your wealthy brother is going to kick up a stink, then I hope your parents see fit to donate his share to a worthwhile charity who would clearly appreciate the money much more than he would.

Saying that, sometimes ill health can mean huge healthcare bills, so there might be nothing to distribute.

Really nice gesture your sister has made to her nieces and nephews too. She has no children herself, but the extra wealth you get will also enrich the next generation. Really lovely

This is exactly why my much older DD will receive more in inheritance than my much younger boys.
DDs earlier years were significantly harder than the life than the boys will always know.

This is why I like no wills as it simply falls to the law of probate

@Troublesome3 that is a major problem for some people!! it implies that some children are not as favoured as others and will be the source of major discontent if parents do this!! on their own head be it!! all children should be treated equally!

But the difference is that your parents treated all three of you equally, and then your sister gave it away, as is her choice.
Split equally says we love you all equally. Anything else is asking for family fall outs.

I guess your brother feels like he's losing out for having worked hard and made good decisions, but I do think that this is probably the fairest way.
You mention you'll have enough for a nice holiday, so how much is your brother going to get?...
I mean, a bit of a slap in the face if there's enough to:
Buy a house for DS and a financial buffer
Buy a flat for DB (albeit in someone else's name) to live in.
A nice holiday for you.
...maybe a sofa for your brother sort of thing, I'd see why he would be upset.

What seems fairest in the situation is maybe if there's provision for less well off brother to have a roof over his head whilst he's alive maybe that property could be split into you and better off brothers names so you have something substantial too, even if passed to your children, as DS children will have had the benefit of her mortgage free years of earning, and the eventual inheritance of her home.

I agree with the sentiment of your parents but I think the fair way is to split equally.
However, please be aware that you may end up like me and my brother with no inheritance due to care home fees for both parents after sudden decline in both parents health in quick succession.

It makes short term sense but can fall apart in the medium/long term which is why I disagree with it. Health issues. Career problems. Divorce. All possible for any of the siblings in the not too distant future which could change financial circumstances overnight. Unless there have been significant family issues in the past I think it's dangerous to stray from equal splits.

It really depends on the split and how much the estate was worth.

If it's a moderate sized estate (eg a standard family home and some cash) and they've just left your sister an extra £20k for a house deposit and you all get a decent chunk as well, that's not worth getting upset over.

If it's been split 50-40-10 then I can see why your brother is upset even if it's a huge estate.

It should be 25% to each child. Anything different is unreasonable regardless of set ups. No matter what your parents think, it does show who you love and value the most and those that receive less will feel that they are loved and valued less than their siblings.

I'm in a sort of similar situation although it's my decision rather than my parents. I'm financially secure my DB isn't so if there is an inheritance he can have it all.

What a bizarre take!

Theres ten years between me and my sister. When I was growing up my dad was mostly out of work or in low paid work. He took on additional qualifications when I was about eleven, after she was born. This enabled him to get a well paid job and he moved quickly up the ladder. By the time I’d left home he was doing well and my sister was still young. They lived so much more comfortably than when I was growing up (I don’t have any issue with this by the way)

But going on your theory, even though she was the one that got Florida holidays to my camping, a brand new bike to my no bike and uni fees paid for when I lived on a combination of loans, I would be less deserving?

So your sister gets a house, your older brother gets a weekend break, and the petty criminal gets his rent paid for the rest of his life. Sounds like a genius split, very likely to keep the kids bonded long after the parents are gone.

Your sister sounds a good person, you must all be proud of her.

We are three sisters one very wealthy two ok. Parents wanted equal split.
we are all pensioners. Rich sister is child free and has refused her share. Does not need or want the money or any more inheritance tax liability. We are not young.The money would not change the life of the richest.
Money being split two ways for other two and to be shared with the grown next generation.
understand the brother, but glad my sister is unselfish and has put others in the family before herself. We are not needy but the money will be welcome.

Simple really.
Their money, their choice. If you don't like it, hard luck.

Your parents sound very considerate tbh, it's just a case of how best this money can be used. Your sister sounds like she'd benefit the most in terms of making her life much easier from a much lower point. Your DB would just be adding it to his pile, no real benefit to him at all & it's a bit gross he'd want to begrudge your sister that help.

They are so right in their choices for your vulnerable brother too. They sound like good people 👍

(also wonder what DB does to earn his money & if it's half as valuable to society as what your DS does which is difficult, stressful, hugely undervalued & craply paid)

Is it morally right that the tax payer pick up the bill whilst the elderly gift money that could be use to pay for care?

It's up to them who they leave their money to and how the split it. It makes sense to me that if one person is going to have a huge difference made to their life and another is just going to go on some more foreign holidays, they'd leave it to the one that needs it. Your DB needs to consider the possibility that there'll be nothing left if either of them needs care anyway, and stop being grabby.

This - because it’s not worth pointing up distinctions.

After they pass away, simplest is best. So surviving spouse gets everything and when they pass equal shares for the children.

Also, parents can’t know in advance how much of their savings will be left after and care costs.

I can understand why they are doing it. I have 1 child who has no father involved and 2 children whose dad is paying for their Uni and future house deposits so I may adjust my own inheritance but I know my younger children wouldn’t resent that.

Doesn’t matter what we or you guys thibk

it is their money and they can do whatever they want. It might all get used up in care homes yet.

It is your parents money and they are free to do as they choose. My personal opinion is that an equal split is fairest. It's understandable that your brother is fuming. If your DSis was given significantly more that you because her earnings potential is less that yours, as it currently stands, I suspect you would be fuming. There are scenarios where an unequal split would be fair but nothing you have written suggests that this is one of them. In general it's damaging to give differing amounts, it would be better to give it to charity.