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It's ok to disinherit a firstborn if remarried and have a new family, right?

268 replies

Eatcabbage · 19/12/2024 09:07

Or am I being unreasonable for feeling a bit hurt?
I feel like it is saying you aren't my daughter anymore, though this is about the billionth way this has been said over the years.
According to my mother, my father "should have got nothing" when they divorced as he did "f-all" and stayed at home with me after I was born when my mother went back to work, "and I paid your school fees", so why should I inherit anything from her?
I'm not bothered about the financial side of things and don't expect anything from my mother or anyone else and I never have, I'm fiercely independent, but I do get hurt by rejection.
I have two step siblings, and my father not recognising them in his will is apparently another reason why I have been disinherited by my mother.
I'm genuinely interested to know what is normally done in situations like this. Am I just being oversensitive? I know I am very sensitive to rejection and easily hurt by it.

OP posts:
MrsSunshine2b · 19/12/2024 12:56

She sounds awful to be honest. Imagine thinking your father giving up his career to care for you was worthless. And absolutely bizarre that she thinks your Dad should recognise her children (has he ever even met them?) in his will. They are no relation whatsoever to him, there is no term I know of for your ex's children by their new partner.

MILLYmo0se · 19/12/2024 12:52

Ah, so your D(or not so much D) M is the female form of so many men that resent their ex getting their haif of assets in recognition of their work in raising the family? It's a shame OP but not unusual in itself sadly, but usually comes from the fathers side as its usually mum that is the SAHP.
It's not easy to do, but don't take it personally, your mother is stunted emotionally and morally

SantasBeardTrimmer · 19/12/2024 12:50

PP who you quoted is saying if OPs dad remarried and has more children (or his new wife has children so PATERNAL half/step sibling) then the father will split his estate between OP and her new half or step sibling... they said the mother might then add her back into her will (wishful thinking).

Surely this all depends on the age of her father?

I assumed that OP was perhaps in her 40s and her parents were in their 60s, to be discussing inheritances.

Is it likely that her father will have more children? (And yes, I know some men do have new families in their 50s.)

user1471538283 · 19/12/2024 12:48

Your DMs children with her husband are nothing to do with your DF. So of course he wouldn't include them because that's mad.

SantasBeardTrimmer · 19/12/2024 12:47

thepariscrimefiles · 19/12/2024 12:20

OP's half siblings will inherit from OP's mum and OP's step-father. OP will just inherit from her own father. She will get nothing from her mum.

She has mentioned her mother's and step-father's wealth in response to a poster who asked whether her mum is trying to ensure that all her children get equal amounts of inheritance, assuming that OP's dad is wealthier than her mum and step-dad. OP will receive much less than her half-siblings as she is only inheriting from one parent (her dad) and her dad is much less wealthy than her mum and step-dad.

The post I quoted from said her half siblings will inherit from their father.
It doesn't say anything about her mother's money (which may or may not be part of the family estate.) Her mum could, if she wishes, leave her money to the OP.

Given that men usually die first, her mum will stand to inherit his estate. He does however have the option to leave his estate only to his own children and not OP (who's his step child.)

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 19/12/2024 12:45

Eatcabbage · 19/12/2024 10:37

Aren't my mother's children his step children?
He hasn't remarried, or not yet anyway!
Or are they ex step children?!

No, they aren't his step children. They would only be his step children if they were already alive when he was married to their mother.

Is your mother seriously suggesting that it's fine to disinherit you on the grounds that your father won't be leaving anything to the children that she had with her next husband after they divorced? That's so bizarre.

housethatbuiltme · 19/12/2024 12:40

Another2Cats · 19/12/2024 10:34

But if you read the OP's comment from 10:03 her own father has remarried:

"I was thinking about the relationship of my father to his step children and my step father to me"

where she explained why she got mixed up with the terms "step" and "half"

Which has what to do with anything?

You are completely misunderstanding the point being made.

OP mam thinks she will inherit 100% of her fathers estate.

OPs mam is therfore leaving her estate split to 2 out of 3 of her children (OPs MATERNAL half siblings) based on this assumption.

PP who you quoted is saying if OPs dad remarried and has more children (or his new wife has children so PATERNAL half/step sibling) then the father will split his estate between OP and her new half or step sibling... they said the mother might then add her back into her will (wishful thinking).

It has absoloutly nothing to do with the mothers kids at all.

Firey40 · 19/12/2024 12:37

Wow OP, I’m so sorry for what your mother has put you through. She has been cruel, and manipulative.

Have you ever spoken to a professional about this? I have a complicated relationship with my tricky mum (lots of people think she is great, but she was an over bearing, narcissistic mother and it’s had a huge impact on me and my siblings, in different ways)

I really encourage you to find a good professional therapist to talk to, it has helped me so much.

Carrying the weight of your mother’s toxicity like this will eventually impact your health, as it doesn’t sound like anything you could do would ‘fix’ this situation. She has her own demons, and she is trying to shift some of the blame onto you. It’s not ok.

Airing it all to a therapist is a safe, private way to keep figuring out how you deal with such a negative figure in your life, and move past it.

sending hugs x

user1471538283 · 19/12/2024 12:35

Oh love this is not ok. I know it's hard but so be it. It's not about the money, even if there is some, it's about her bitterness. No wonder you are in bits.

That's it. You have nothing more to do with her. Let them think what they like. Your half siblings can get on with supporting her and with you out of the picture she will start on them. She will need more support as she ages but you do not do it.

My DMs family had a very different take on things once I went NC and they had all her bile. It was not so much "oh it's just what she's like" then. Fat lot of good that did me then or after. As if I'm supposed to have sympathy.

The same for you. Let them experience this horrible, spiteful woman once you've removed yourself as her target.

Do something nice no matter how small each day over Christmas. You are valued x

MellowCritic · 19/12/2024 12:33

BMW6 · 19/12/2024 09:17

Your Mum sounds very...... strange (being kind).

On second thoughts, tell her to go to hell, drop all contact with her, cherish your relationship with your Dad. She's a nasty bitch and totally wrong.

You don't need someone like that in your life.

Edited

Sorry not sorry 😂

thepariscrimefiles · 19/12/2024 12:20

SantasBeardTrimmer · 19/12/2024 12:06

My half siblings will inherit from their father, and my mother and step father are much, much wealthier than my father is, so I don't think that is it. They are in the process of selling one of their three houses, (three that I know of), for close to a million, and my father is living on a state pension.

It's perfectly normal to leave an inheritance to children of a first marriage and not subsequent marriages where step children are involved.

Not sure who has 3 houses (your mum and your step father? Or your half siblings?) How come they have 3 houses? Holiday homes?

But in any case this is all theoretical.
Your mum is how old?

She may end up with no money - care home fees are around £1k a week so who knows where her money will go in 20 or 30 years' time.

Who IS she going to leave her estate to when the time comes?
If it's not you or your half siblings, where will it all go?

Edited

OP's half siblings will inherit from OP's mum and OP's step-father. OP will just inherit from her own father. She will get nothing from her mum.

She has mentioned her mother's and step-father's wealth in response to a poster who asked whether her mum is trying to ensure that all her children get equal amounts of inheritance, assuming that OP's dad is wealthier than her mum and step-dad. OP will receive much less than her half-siblings as she is only inheriting from one parent (her dad) and her dad is much less wealthy than her mum and step-dad.

WestwardHo1 · 19/12/2024 12:20

I find on MN there is always this rush to say "I don't expect anything" as though it's something you should say.

However if people are totally honest, if you have been born to two people who have amassed wealth when wealth was a great deal easier to amass - especially given that so much of it is through far more favourable pensions than we will ever get, and large amounts of unearned income simply because they were lucky enough to be of house buying age in the 70s and 80s - then yes. It is not unreasonable to "expect something". This is especially if one parent has died and left it all tax free to the surviving parent, particularly if that parent is one of the women who never worked particularly.

This is a generic point, rather than being particularly directed at the OP.

Hugs OP. This is a kick in the guts.

Notjustabrunette · 19/12/2024 12:14

Your mother sound completely unhinged. This is a ‘her’ problem and not a ‘you’ problem, and I’m sorry that you have been caught up in it all.

WearyAuldWumman · 19/12/2024 12:13

i'm sorry that you're in this situation, OP.

In certain places, a child cannot be disinherited completely, but I'm assuming that you're in England?

(Under Scots law, a child is entitled to a share of the moveable estate - even if excluded in the will.)

ChristmasFluff · 19/12/2024 12:10

She's a Horrible Mother who doesn't love you because she is incapable of love.

But you haven't been able to convince yourself that she doesn't love or care for you because there's a part of you that believes that if she really doesn't care, then it is because you are unloveable. That isn't true - it's all on her.

She is not worth your time or energy. I'm glad your Dad got away from her, and I hope you are still in touch with him, and that he was a loving Dad.

Jaxhog · 19/12/2024 12:07

I suspect it's because she feels guilty about being a rubbish mum to you. Unfortunately, many people use inheritance as a weapon.

SantasBeardTrimmer · 19/12/2024 12:06

My half siblings will inherit from their father, and my mother and step father are much, much wealthier than my father is, so I don't think that is it. They are in the process of selling one of their three houses, (three that I know of), for close to a million, and my father is living on a state pension.

It's perfectly normal to leave an inheritance to children of a first marriage and not subsequent marriages where step children are involved.

Not sure who has 3 houses (your mum and your step father? Or your half siblings?) How come they have 3 houses? Holiday homes?

But in any case this is all theoretical.
Your mum is how old?

She may end up with no money - care home fees are around £1k a week so who knows where her money will go in 20 or 30 years' time.

Who IS she going to leave her estate to when the time comes?
If it's not you or your half siblings, where will it all go?

Whoarethoseguys · 19/12/2024 12:05

Eatcabbage · 19/12/2024 09:20

The step siblings are my mother's children also, to clarify

They are half siblings then not step siblings
But there is still no reason why your father should leave them any money in his will.
Your dad sounds lovely and staying home to look after the baby is work it's just unpaid..
I understand that her leaving you out of the will is about more than the money but I would try to shrug it of and perhaps not give her much thought either.

thepariscrimefiles · 19/12/2024 12:01

Eatcabbage · 19/12/2024 10:03

I don't want to break off contact as that would affect my contact with the rest of the family on that side, and, she is still my mother.
I just wanted to reconcile my feelings. I was feeling guilty for upsetting her yesterday and feeling selfish for saying anything. It was stupid of me to have reacted to her (unrelated) comment, but here we are and I now have a lot of fall out to deal with.
But genuinely, thank you all for taking the time to comment, it is really helpful to hear that I'm not alone in feeling hurt by the emotional implications of something like this.

But, for the people going off on one because I used the term "step" instead of "half". I'm tired. I haven't slept. I'm upset. There's a hell of a lot else going on in my life right now. We just refer to each other as sisters or brothers, never step, or half, or anything else. I was thinking about the relationship of my father to his step children and my step father to me, and honestly, does it matter? Your comments don't bother me, but in future, to someone else, that sort of dig really might matter to someone vulnerable. Be kind.

You shouldn't feel guilty but your mother should. She is still angry about having to give your dad some money in the divorce and is using you to get back at him.

It sounds as though she made a new family following the divorce and you were always the outsider. Your half sibling doesn't sound very nice either, telling you that you were not part of her family.

I would distance myself as much as possible without cutting yourself off from the wider family. Please don't apologise to her, as you haven't done anything wrong.

Not2identifying · 19/12/2024 11:58

The more you say, the more I'd be inclined to suggest you think about what's in your own best interests. And that might not be maintaining a relationship with her. Not because of the inheritance but because contact with her is detrimental to your wellbeing. Why don't you talk it all through with a therapist?

AnonymousBleep · 19/12/2024 11:58

NeedToChangeName · 19/12/2024 11:50

This is called "sideways inheritance". It's so unfair on the bio child of the person who died

That's the thing - you just end up feeling like you don't matter as much as the children that came after you. As if it was your fault that your parents divorced - they both moved on, and you're left behind, not part of either new family and largely irrelevant.

Eatcabbage · 19/12/2024 11:55

Fifthtimelucky · 19/12/2024 11:22

You are not at all unreasonable to feel hurt but I can understand that your mother might want to try to even things up between her three children.

If she expects to inherit from your father and her other children are unlikely to inherit from theirs, she might decide that it is fairer to all three of you to leave you out of her will.

I don't think it would be unreasonable of her to make that choice (though I don't think I would do it) but if so I would expect her to explain her reasoning, making clear that she loved you very much but was leaving you out of her Will because you were already well provided for.

My half siblings will inherit from their father, and my mother and step father are much, much wealthier than my father is, so I don't think that is it. They are in the process of selling one of their three houses, (three that I know of), for close to a million, and my father is living on a state pension.
But, as I said, to me, it's not about it being a financial decision, it's about being recognised as being her daughter and I really don't think she sees it that way and your comments have reinforced that.
I think I need to grow up, suck it up and stop expecting her to be something she isn't.
I have tried to explain this to people in the past, that she's more like a distant aunt (except my aunt is absolutely lovely) than a mother and that I don't expect anything from her, but I evidently haven't done a very good job of believing myself.

OP posts:
northernlight20 · 19/12/2024 11:54

Eatcabbage · 19/12/2024 10:52

Thank you. I did write to her apologising and explaining almost exactly that. I made it very clear that it is not about money and purely about emotional rejection. I then called also to apologise. She screamed at me and slammed down the phone.

Ii know she's your mother, but you need to distance yourself from this woman. for your sake and that of your child. She sounds horrid and I dont understand why you keep going back for more.

GRex · 19/12/2024 11:52

Liddlediddle · 19/12/2024 11:42

She says I'll inherit from my father so I don't need to inherit from her as well, but like I said, it's not about the money, it's about the emotional implications

Is the amount you are likely to receive from your father similar to what your half sibling might receive from your Mum and their Dad? If you are already potentially likely to receive a big inheritance then I can see why she might be thinking to give her estate to your half sibling. I don't agree with that but it is something that some people believe.

This is sort of true. My DM tries to level up 2 GC who won't get anything from their father's side, by giving them extra. It isn't necessarily to entirely cut off to do this; explaining "proportionally I will give you less than the others because you'll get more from your dad than they will from theirs" is different than "I won't give you anything".

MyPithyPoster · 19/12/2024 11:51

AnonymousBleep · 19/12/2024 11:38

Your mum is horrible, sorry OP.

I totally understand how it feels to not be part of any family. My dad's estate went to my stepmum when he died, and will pass down to their kids (my half siblings). I won't get any. It'll be the same on my Mum's side. It's not the money though, who even knows with inheritance if anyone will get anything anyway, it's what you say about that sense of being the one on the outside looking in, while the new families are the 'real' families. It's why I simply don't believe blended families actually work in practice. Someone (usually the remarried mum) is deluding themselves that it's all great and in the best interests of all her kids, when in reality, it isn't.

Edited

I completely agree with you, I pay a fortune in life insurance to make sure that all of my kids will be okay.

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