Do you know what's in your parents' Will(s)?

I have an awful feeling that my parents will come up with something excessively complicated relating to grandchildren (possibly leaving a house split between them). But will disregard the awkward stuff with siblings.

I would like to buy my siblings out of the house we grew up in. One sibling disinherited and NC. One sibling no interest in the house. One sibling wouldn't want the responsibility of the house and would happily see it go to me.

It would make more sense for the assets to be left to us jointly and if I can afford the house, then keep it.

Not make it weird for grandkids to sort out (0, 2 and 1 across families respectively).

Yes - everything goes to me as I'm the only child and only family in the country.

@GMMagnet Exactly same situation here. I'll never be " real family" to them and our children are adopted so they think even less of them, which is quite sad really. They treat their daughter's husband the same way, he's not classed as "real family" either, we actually have a laugh about it between us. However, If I've learned anything from it, it's that I know exactly how not to treat any future partners and children my son's may have.

One parent left. Several children and grandchildren in the mix. The Will states the property to go to 1 grandchild, 50% of money to 1 child and remaining 50% shared between other children.

Yes roughly. To be split between all siblings. Includes sale of properties and a decision to be made around current family business

I do, my mum sorted POA at same time so as I was signing that she also let me read her will.

I have abusive parents who were financially abusive when I was growing up and always 'will waving' when I was an adult.

We aren't in contact now at all so I would say that I've probably been disinherited. They might skip me and leave something to my son but who knows? I'm not sure I'll find out that they've died...

I don't wish them ill at all, I'm just really sad that the family has fallen apart the way it has and that they are so troubled.

On the plus side I've created a happy family and I try to be a good person.

'Do what you can with what you have where you are' is my motto.

Yes totally equal split between self and DB, DM jewellery to me, DF watch and wedding ring to DB

No I do not but recently discovered by chance that my mum has put her entire house in her new husbands name. The house was given to her by my grandparents on the understanding it would be passed onto me and my siblings eventually to form part of our inheritance. I guess that was going to be a surprise for us in the future but at least I know now I suppose, haven’t told my sibling though as don’t want to start a battle.

No I don't know and don't care tbh. I expect they'll be fair to all their dc as they always have been.

I was there when my mother's Will was drawn up as we were sorting out POAs at the same time.
After the POAs were registered, the originals were stored in the solicitors' vaults & I was given authenticated copies to send off as necessary.
They also authenticated a copy of the will for me as I was the executor & also stored the original in the vault.

It's going to be a similar thing with my Dad & Stepmother - I know what they've got planned & I'm the executor.
Their solicitor is in the process of registering the signed POAs.
All documents to be stored in the solicitors' vaults.
Obviously if there are any changes to the current wills then it is up to them to decide whether to inform me or not.

Nope, don’t know, don’t care. It’s their money to do whatever they want with.

Yes, I'm the executor of my parents will.

@EmmaPeele I've known my PIL for 35 years now and I am of no more importance to them than their new window cleaner. It's all about their children including DH but if he was to go, I'm not sure they'd even send a Christmas card.

It's always about discussing things with the siblings or between the siblings. I've no idea how they haven't rumbled that it isn't DH that has organised and hosted visits, sent cards, suggested solutions....thiv

Even my BIL's 'new' wife has been on the scene for ten years, blood will always be thicker with this bunch. It's made me quietly resentful in recent years.

I'm not worried about finding more information while they're alive. When they're gone, I/we will be able to find a Will or we won't, and we'll deal with whatever it says or its absence at that point.

I'm not worried about being named as executor. I've seen it done by close relatives both with and without bought legal help, and with a simple case and a complex international al one. If I am named as executor and I can't do it myself then I'll hand it to a solicitor to do it for me.

I really would rather not damage any relationships now by getting information. Will deal with it at the time!

even if you're not willing to ask them to share more detail about the content of their wills, it's worth finding out:
(a) who will be the executor of each will?
(b) have they made any provision for the possibility that they may not always be able to manage/ make decisions regarding their care, finances, life admin etc (eg power of attorney)?

My parents are 80+ years old.

I have no idea if my dad has a Will or what is in it if he does.

I have no idea whether my stepmum has a Will or what is in it if she does.

I have no idea whether my stepdad has a Will or what is in it if he does.

I know my mum doesn't have a Will because she doesn't want to discuss divisions with my stepdad. So she's relying on outliving him and making one then!

I am not relying on any inheritance from any of them. When they die there are cast-iron rules that will dictate what happens whether there is a Will or not, so I'll follow those rules at that time (or not be involved at all, depending on the person and circumstances).

I would never ask any of them what is in (or whether they have) their Will. I would hope that whatever they decide won't cause upset between any survivors, but there's no point worrying about that until it happens in any case! I'd rather keep my lovely relationships with siblings/step siblings now, and if Wills damage those relationships later then at least we have had these years now.

My dad hasn’t done a will he owns a house which I grew up in it’s being rented out and I house with his women . She’s got 3 children for a previous marriage and I think it’s there’s a will on that house it will be split in half between both sides so 50/50 . But if one dies the other won’t be made to leave it will only be done after both have gone. Where as the rented house was my dad’s from the marriage with me my mum he brought her out when she left . There’s no will he says that his woman knows it’s mine but she could be difficult there not married but still
My mum owns a flat and is selling up now .
Sal

Yes. It all goes to my sister as she has care needs which have meant she hasn't had opportunity to gain independence or financial security for herself. I'm executor and they said I can contest if I want. I won't. Its their assets to do as they please and my DSis didn't choose to have a limiting condition. The peace of mind this gives them is more important than any inheritance

Mine have/had mirror wills, leaving everything to me and my brother 50/50. My mum recently sold the family home and downsized-zero pressure from us, we were a bit amazed, never thought she’d move. She has a healthy slush fund should she need anything, including care. We don’t want or need her money, it’s hers to dispose of as she wants.

Yes. Mum gave me a copy.

DF died a few years ago and left everything to DM. DM has been quite open about her will, partly to pre-empt any suprises.

The estate is to be split evenly between me and my siblings, except for one small flat where a sibling lives. That sibling will inherit the property they live in. The reason for this is the rest of us have stable housing. DM wants to be sure that DSib has stable housing for life. That's fine with me. If the property was to be sold and proceeds split it wouldn't come to much each anyway.

She's also stipulated who is to inherit significant pieces of jewellery.

Not sure about MIL as I don't think it's my place to ask. I hope it's 50/50 between DH and SIL. She's already said she will not decide who gets some very important sentimental pieces and that DH and SIL will have to work that out between them after she's gone.

My dad is leaving everything to his younger wife. Nothing to his three kids.
My mum hasn’t made a will but is also remarried. She stands to inherit a significant sum from my 91 year old nan one day and I doubt we’ll see any of it. Even if my mum outlived her husband they’ll probably both need care as they are approaching mid-late 60s with low level health complaints and are obese. This will sound awful but there won’t be a cat in hell’s chance of me getting involved in their care.

i try not to let it bother me but it does. I am doing everything to make sure I provide for my kids during and after my lifetime. Not being like my parents has been the driving motivation for every action I have taken in my adult life. I hope that my kids feel my love and support to the end of my days and beyond, and will know that they were my priority always.

That's extremely unpleasant EmmaPeele. I agree about finding out who regards you as family and who doesn't. Having said that I've just realised that my own will diverts to other people if ds dies before me. He's only 20 so has no serious partner yet but I must alter my will as and when there's a commitment or children involved. My FIL's will has made 3 trusts for his three children and their families so it's possible to do it (though after care costs I'm expecting enough to buy a drink to remember him by tbh).