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AIBU?

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Original poster

Step children and inheritance

181 replies

WineBeforeWhine · 06/02/2026 08:43

I have two step children who were adults when I married their dad. We then had two children. My parents left me considerably more which went into the family pot while we were married. My husband died and I was left everything. I’m now having to redo my Will. My question is should all four children be treated equally or is reasonable to leave my own children a higher percentage of my estate something like 20% for the stepchildren and 30% mine? I’m struggling to get it right.

OP posts:
sittingonabeach · 06/02/2026 08:49

Didn’t your DH make arrangements for his DC, so part of his estate only in life interest for you and then going to DC?

Original poster
WineBeforeWhine · 06/02/2026 08:49

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 06/02/2026 08:47

I would have thought that your children would get 1/2 your estate each and 1/4 dads and step children 1/4 days so all things being equal then your DC get 37.5% each and his get 12.5% each. But I appreciate I do not have all the facts and if their mother has never been in the picture etc things might be very different in reality.

Funnily enough, this is how it is at the moment. Yes their mother remarried and had two more children.

OP posts:
HisNotHes · 06/02/2026 08:48

Yes your children should get more. This is your children’s inheritance from both their parents.
Unless you love your stepchildren equally and want them to have the same - that’s totally up to you.

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 06/02/2026 08:47

I would have thought that your children would get 1/2 your estate each and 1/4 dads and step children 1/4 days so all things being equal then your DC get 37.5% each and his get 12.5% each. But I appreciate I do not have all the facts and if their mother has never been in the picture etc things might be very different in reality.

toomuchfaff · 06/02/2026 08:47

Your step children will have another parent, another set of grandparents.

I would give your step children a representative amount that considers their dads contribution (consodering they have another side of the family). And your own children I would give a higher percentage because its to represent both their parents.

FatLarrysBanned · 06/02/2026 08:46

I think it's fair that your children get more, this is their inheritance from mum and dad, whereas presumably your step children will also inherit from their mum?

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