Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Inheritance to grandchildren bypassing children

262 replies

mucky123 · 24/04/2026 00:31

I just wondered if someone could shed some light on why I feel the way I do. It is absolutely none of my business. I freely admit any thoughts about it are unreasonable. If anyone should have anything to say its my bil/sil.

My dh and I are quite comfortable, not interested in an inheritance. We have 3 dc. My Bil not so comfortable but alright. Think they might have a tougher retirement than we do. They have 2 kids.

My ILs. Have some money not loads but are comfortable and very likely to leave readonable inheritance. They intend to leave everything between 5 grandkids. So my kids will get more of the pot than bils. I'm really irritated by this on every front (1) haven't discussed it with their sons, feels like a kick in the teeth for them, (2) gc will be inheriting fairly young. Will this discourage them ftom working, will they piss it up the wall or lose half on an unsuitable marriage, (3) it's like the parents aren't trusted to send the money on to their kids, and (4) it's unfair between brothers as our kids get a bigger slice of pot. That seems unkind to lovely bils family.
Partly also I'd like to be the one to give my kids a house deposit, pay for their wedding etc and this has all gone as they will now have a reasonable inheritance quite early.
I know I'm being unreasonable,

OP posts:
needaglowupnow · 24/04/2026 01:34

They're not even dead yet!!

Villanousvillans · 24/04/2026 01:23

My dad left everything 50/50 to my sister and I. I have three DC she has two. This to me is completely the right and fair thing to do. My will is a three way split to my DC.

suki1964 · 24/04/2026 01:22

JustCabbaggeLooking · 24/04/2026 01:11

So give your inheritance to them?

Smart arse

They will be getting it

We are in our 60's We already fund their schools , hobbies and holidays . We buy their electronics and "designer" clothes - well those that arent labelled Primark

We buy their mums cars, give her what she needs to keep home - boiler packs up, we pay - etc

So when we pass in possibly 10 to 15 years, the grand kids, will be mid 20's. early 30's , at the age when they will be needing money. To get a house, pay uni fees, travel the world- whatever they choose

So will I give them the shirt off my back as well? Now before I die, before I make provision for our older life where we may possibly need carers and I dont want them to waste 20 years of their lives looking after us as we did my mother just so we can give them money now?

JustCabbaggeLooking · 24/04/2026 01:11

suki1964 · 24/04/2026 01:09

Im voting Very unreasonable

Inlaws are seriously seeking the changes in society, where we have the elderly living for so long, their children are collecting pensions when they die

So why leave any inheritance to a child in their 60's . who's bought the house, paid into their pensions, when the grandchildren are struggling to get a foot up anywhere ?

Mum just died, Im 62. What need have I of any money she has left me? Sure it will be nice to have, but we have the house/cars. everything paid, and the grandkids are needing it more then us

So give your inheritance to them?

suki1964 · 24/04/2026 01:09

Im voting Very unreasonable

Inlaws are seriously seeking the changes in society, where we have the elderly living for so long, their children are collecting pensions when they die

So why leave any inheritance to a child in their 60's . who's bought the house, paid into their pensions, when the grandchildren are struggling to get a foot up anywhere ?

Mum just died, Im 62. What need have I of any money she has left me? Sure it will be nice to have, but we have the house/cars. everything paid, and the grandkids are needing it more then us

Boreded · 24/04/2026 01:04

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 24/04/2026 00:59

There’s no such thing as “should” about it. It’s - at least in England; I know Scotland is different, not sure about any other countries - completely up to the people leaving the inheritance.

If someone is leaving their estate directly to grandchildren I think it’s fair to do that equally between the grandchildren regardless of their “side” of the family - they are individuals, not extensions of their parents.

I didn’t say it can’t skip a generation, I just said it shouldn’t…there’s this thing called an opinion - I gave one 🤷‍♀️

rememberingthem · 24/04/2026 01:01

Quite frankly i think you need to mind your own business. What your in laws decide to do with their own money is nothing to do with you.

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 24/04/2026 00:59

Boreded · 24/04/2026 00:56

Inheritance shouldn’t skip a generation - it should go to children equally to choose whether they pass it to grandchildren or not.

There’s no such thing as “should” about it. It’s - at least in England; I know Scotland is different, not sure about any other countries - completely up to the people leaving the inheritance.

If someone is leaving their estate directly to grandchildren I think it’s fair to do that equally between the grandchildren regardless of their “side” of the family - they are individuals, not extensions of their parents.

Boreded · 24/04/2026 00:56

Inheritance shouldn’t skip a generation - it should go to children equally to choose whether they pass it to grandchildren or not.

outerspacepotato · 24/04/2026 00:45

It's not your money. You don;t decide where it goes.

JustCabbaggeLooking · 24/04/2026 00:39

You're not being unreasonable. It should be 50/50 between their sons.
YABU for using house deposits and wedding costs as a reason why it's unreasonable.

nomas · 24/04/2026 00:37

YABU. Many people can’t even dream of an inheritance. Count your blessings.