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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be hurt my parents have disinherited me?

255 replies

Plantbasedpeanuts · 15/07/2024 21:02

They hate my husband and so they’ve cut me out of their will and left everything to my dc.
I know logically it is their choice and it was previously split 25% each between me and my three dc but now they’ve taken me out entirely - even sentimental things like my mum’s jewellery will now go to my dd.
Im so hurt by this. Logically I completely understand it’s their money and their belongings and I don’t want to be grabby but I’ve always been close to my parents and this is really hurtful. DH is my dc’s dad, just to make that clear too.
Aibu?

OP posts:
Aligirlbear · 15/07/2024 22:15

Plantbasedpeanuts · 15/07/2024 21:15

They were. But they also disapprove heavily of divorce. I would like to leave DH and they don’t want me to, despite not liking him.
I feel that they have cut me out to make it harder for me to leave him financially even if I waited until they weren’t around anymore. Sorry, that sounds callous but I wouldn’t leave him whilst they are alive as it would upset them and they’d be embarrassed. They believe once you are married you honour your vows.

You could look at this in another way. If you are saying you would like to leave him they run the risk that he could successfully claim part of your estate if they predecease you leaving him so you have received the money. By passing the money to the children they are protecting family money as he will have no legal access to this.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 15/07/2024 22:15

Well, you’re clearly unhappy in the marriage. You need to get a divorce and move on with your life. Forget what your parents think, it’s not their life, the dc get the inheritance and you get your happiness. Win, win I say!

crowgift · 15/07/2024 22:10

also OP do they disapprove in principle of divorce or have they said that they don't want you specifically to divorce?
In my father's generation there was a domestic abuse situation and while there was a lot of cultural/religious disapproval of divorce they were very supportive of the woman getting divorced.
Are you using their general dislike of divorce (no one thinks is fantastic: I know, I've done it) to stop yourself leaving him?

TheHouseElf · 15/07/2024 22:08

I've experienced similar. Not included in my Mum's or my Aunt's (who passed in December) will, again this has a lot to do with them not liking my DP. They've done this to one of my brothers as well, as they don't like his wife, and have instead put mine (and his) children to inherit.

I made peace with it. At the end of the day, its their money, and I'm happy my children will receive some, which will help and benefit them greatly, and likewise the same for my nephews and niece. Think its best to try and not let this upset you OP.

With regards to your marriage, don't stay with your DH just to not upset your parents. Life's too short.

crowgift · 15/07/2024 22:06

OP as others have said: best if you divorce now as you want to leave, they may then want to change their wills to benefit you (wills can always be changed until death). If they don't change their wills again to your benefit, then you've not lost anything, but you are free.
Your DH would get half if you divorce (and you say you want to leave him, so it's not a strong marriage!). He may be hanging around with a hope you'll inherit so he can get half when he leaves you, so you would also not have the full inheritance in that circumstance, only half of what they left you.
Your parents are right to make sure that the money stays within the family.

westisbest1982 · 15/07/2024 22:04

If you keep the inheritance in your sole name he will not get any.
As long as an inheritance is not poured into a shared marital asset like a marital home, it can be kept separate from a divorce.

I don't think so:

www.newtons.co.uk/news/inheritance-in-divorce-settlements/

ThinWomansBrain · 15/07/2024 22:04

How old are your parents - as in to put it bluntly, are they likely to die in the short term, or more likely 20-30 years away?
If your DC inherit as young adults, it will be really useful to them then.
I appreciate that it's hurtful, but they are still leaving it to your family - they've not decided to leave it to charity.

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 15/07/2024 22:04

my parents have done the same thing and I couldn't be happier about it. Now their money will go to the grandchildren evenly, which means my three get the same as the one child each my brothers have had. That seems like a win to me.

Their logic is that the money will come when the kids really need it, they will have young families and so the money will come at a great time for them. For us it will be too late to be of any real use other than perhaps buying property which we will then go on to leave to the kids.

I totally get it.

Jumblebum · 15/07/2024 22:01

Are you financially independent? If so, please just divorce your husband. You can't live your life for other people...particularly those who treat you badly.

TheBottomsOfMyTrousersAreRolled · 15/07/2024 21:58

diddl · 15/07/2024 21:28

It seems understandable that they don't want him to benefit at all.

Less so that don't want you to divorce & presumably wouldn't help you even if they could.

This. Their logic makes no sense.

Hemiola · 15/07/2024 21:58

No advice op but it's just happened to me although not due to a DH. I have zero idea why I've been cut out.
Until you've experienced it, you have no idea how hurtful it is. And like you say, it's not actually the money. It's feeling like you don't belong to the family or something. It's hideous.
💐

Thedayb4youcame · 15/07/2024 21:57

@Plantbasedpeanuts you say: "It isn’t the money so much as I feel that they are basically saying I don’t matter"

but then you also say:

They are worried he will benefit from it or maybe leave me and take half of it.

So which is it, as it can't be both? Either way, by the sounds of it, it goes to your children.

Frankly -and I know that the vast majority of MN will never agree with me- but I think it's hugely wrong and always have thought it that people discuss their wills so freely with their family. Due to a whole range of factors relating to my family unit, I had to shut my mother down at every oppurtunity when she wanted to tell me what was in her will. I. Did. Not. Want. To. Know.

Added to which, my MIL very nearly spent most of hers on care home fees, so there was no knowing how my parents would end up.

As it was, they both passed while living at home and had zero care expenses, but that was never going to be a given. I only knew what was in my father's will before he died because mum went first & her will and his was a mirror...but that said, my father was planning on updating his will (he never got the chance as he fell ill not long after mum died and he too passed), and I am 99% sure he wouldn't have told me what changes he would have made.

To add further, had he changed his will, my husband and I - as the ones who looked after him following my mum's death- were in a hugely vulnerable position, given that other family members were likely to accuse us of coercing him to any changes had he made any.

The discussion of wills with beneficiaries is one I find most uncomfortable.

Tv23456 · 15/07/2024 21:57

If you keep the inheritance in your sole name he will not get any.
As long as an inheritance is not poured into a shared marital asset like a marital home, it can be kept separate from a divorce.
They are controlling.

Ang69 · 15/07/2024 21:57

Also, where in the country are your parents? If they so happen to be in Scotland then they can't fully disinherit you as you would have a right to some of their assets ( not property) under Legal Rights

Tv23456 · 15/07/2024 21:56

They sound absolutely awful.
So Controlling.
Leave your husband and step away from them.
Loving parents do not behave like this.

JoyousPinkPeer · 15/07/2024 21:54

They may dislike your husband but I think you are missing the point that they have likely done this as you say, to stop you divorcing. They also likely know that if you divorce your husband will get half the money. I can see that they've now ensured this will not be the case.

NotAgainWilson · 15/07/2024 21:51

How good is your marriage? How good are you with money? How good and considerate financially is your OH? If the answer to any of that is “not great” it makes perfect sense the money is left to the children instead of you as your OH cannot influence you to use it for not stuff not related to the children therefore protecting you and the children. He cannot claim entitlement to half of that money if you divorce. But the bottom line is, you parents can leave the money to whoever they want, if they prefer to support the children (I suppose they supported you already when starting up as a young adult), it is their prerogative.

TemuSpecialBuy · 15/07/2024 21:51

Plantbasedpeanuts · 15/07/2024 21:15

They were. But they also disapprove heavily of divorce. I would like to leave DH and they don’t want me to, despite not liking him.
I feel that they have cut me out to make it harder for me to leave him financially even if I waited until they weren’t around anymore. Sorry, that sounds callous but I wouldn’t leave him whilst they are alive as it would upset them and they’d be embarrassed. They believe once you are married you honour your vows.

When i read your OP i knew your parents would have a reason and the reason for skipping to your kids is very valid imo.

Them changing their will does NOT prevent you living your life as you want or divorcing.
you'd be very stupid to remain married simply to "please your parents" ( they clearly arent pleased) but it makes even less sense now there is zero to be gained either way

Tl:dr you only get one life - file for divorce

GuinnessBird · 15/07/2024 21:51

SheSaidHummingbird · 15/07/2024 21:48

Makes no sense. They hate him but don't want you to divorce him. Okay.

Yup, not great thinking.

SheSaidHummingbird · 15/07/2024 21:48

Makes no sense. They hate him but don't want you to divorce him. Okay.

Gcsunnyside23 · 15/07/2024 21:44

Your parents sound worse than your husband. They want you to be treated shit to save their embarrassment? I say screw them all and do what makes your happy. But they can't have it both ways. I would go no contact with them. Not because of the money but lack of support for you and keeping you locked in a situation

betterangels · 15/07/2024 21:44

Plantbasedpeanuts · 15/07/2024 21:08

They are worried he will benefit from it or maybe leave me and take half of it.

It is a valid concern. They don't want him getting their money. Their choice.

Although wanting you to stay in the marriage seems weird.

Meadowfinch · 15/07/2024 21:44

So they know you want to leave your dh, and they've acted to prevent your stbxh possibly inheriting £125k. That seems completely sensible to me. They aren't saying you don't matter.

Once you are safely divorced and your exh has no further claim, perhaps they will change their mind again

Either way, stop worrying about what they think and get on with your life. whether that involves divorce or anything else.

Ang69 · 15/07/2024 21:43

Your parents could have left their estate to a trust with you and your children as beneficiaries. This would protect you in the event of a divorce. I'm so sorry OP, I understand why you are hurt. I also wouldn't stay married if unhappy, you only get one shot. I would divorce and live your life on your terms.

FangsForTheMemory · 15/07/2024 21:41

Given what you've now said about your husband, in your position I would be relieved. If you leave him, he won't get half their money. If he's been hanging around because of the money, he may now go and good riddance to him!

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