Inheritance - what to do with mine?

While "treat them the same" sounds noble, this approach is taking any agency away from the person writing the will.

Noone is entitled to 1/xth of the estate, no matter what.

But fairly isn't necessarily the same as equally. You're already trying to equalise by wiping out DS2 student debt. What if he turns out not to have the same earning potential as his brother? Or DS1 marries a very wealthy wife and inherits a house from her family? You can't keep trying to maintain a balance and your plans allow a generous inheritance for both. Treat them both the same.

no keep it 50:50. The student loan debt will most likely increase with interest so could end be being quite a significant amount that comes out of your estate before the remainder is split.

i also really don’t get the worry and obsession with student loan debt that people have with it.
it comes out of earnings based on income. It doesn’t affect anything really, doesn’t count as debt in the sense that a significant bank loan does. So while yes, take home pay is reduced, it’s not really that much and doesn’t stop a person taking out more traditional loans like a mortgage.

Will DS 2 be living away for University? If he is will his Dad give him £300 a month too so £600 in total?

Regarding student loans it is best to help him pay it off before the interest builds and builds if that is your intention.

I agree with you and I'd tell them I was doing this. First out comes the student loan money and then it's split between them.

One thing you could do is take out life assurance for the price of the student loan, so that you could then split the rest between them. The other thing you could do is now that your older son has finished his apprenticeship, give his £200 to your younger son so that he doesn't have to borrow as much, so the final student loan repayment would be lower.

However, I'd be discussing it with them both before taking any action.

@LoneHydrangea that's not true. They figure with the lower income start and longer to pay it back (40 years) over 60% of students taking a loan will pay it back (plus accrued interest).
OP 50:50. One might marry well, one might become unable to work, one might decide to chuck in their job and sail around the world... 50:50 or a the only way to go.

Will your sons inherited a substantial amount of money on your death ? Or will they have to wait for possibly decades until your DPs death to get your Half of the house?

Ah. Ok so each would have no undergrad degree debt. Actually, yes that makes sense. But tell them before they hear it in a will.

50/50 you simply have no idea how their lives will turn out.

I'd stick with 50/50. What if one chose to do another degree or other qualification later on? You'd be endlessly updating your will to account for the extra debt.

50:50

Do you really want to create a divide on your demise?

If I’m understanding your post correctly, you’re considering the university fees would be paid out first, then the balance (cash component) of your estate would be 50:50 to your sons.
i think this is incredibly thoughtful & considerate. There isn’t a university debt hanging over one son and they each end up with the same cash inheritance.
i would do exactly this.

50:50, not sure what the student loan bit is about.

DS2 is about to go to university - STEM, but can not get an apprenticeship in the area he wants to work. Has worked exceptionally hard to get to this stage (not through the formal routes)
Out of interest, what not formal route did DS2 take?

I completely agree with this. You have no idea what life has in store. One may have a dc with complex needs. One may end up disabled and unable to work. One may have a costly divorce.

50:50 I’m shocked you’d consider anything else.

It was your son’s choice to go to uni and take out loans just as it was your other son’s choice to do an apprenticeship. Do not punish one for their choices.

Are you aware that some people never pay off their student loans, because they do not earn enough, or they change career or due to ill health or emigration or a combination of all these things.
I know several people who have not paid off there student loan & never will.

Why would you give money in your will with strings attached ?

Give equally to your children

You could possibly make provision for grand children if there are some in the future too

This 100%.

In the US it would be possible to get a life insurance policy on both of you that could cover a payout to either his children or yours in the event of either death. You could pay this from joint household funds. That means that your or your DP can keep the house.

Goodness - one wonders what anyone will ever inherit after next budget! Give to them asap and hope there is no tax involved.

If you don't just split it 50:50 you will need to constantly rewrite your will to keep things "equal". What if one child buys a house and the other wants to travel? One has children and the other an expensive divorce? One has health issues and can't work full-time? One wants to retire early?

I wouldn't worry too much. This sounds like those worries of the small hours. It all sounds as if you gave been very sensible. Just split it 50/50 and stop worrying about it.

50:50. You don’t know what the future holds and both dcs made their career choices knowing about student loan debt and how much help you could give them.