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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to tell DH to split his inheritance with his half siblings?

465 replies

hesbelleth · 17/05/2026 18:17

DH lost both of his parents quite young, when he was in his late 20s. His parents were both on their second marriage. He was adopted but only found out on his dad’s death.

His mum had two biological children with her first husband. They are in their late 50s, so much much older than DH. He sees them maybe 2-3 times a year, but growing up he didn’t really see them for a few years at a time. They’re both nice people.

When his mum died, she left his dad all of their property/money. She wanted her half to be split amongst her three children.

When DH’s dad died, he left everything to DH. It’s not an enormous sum but includes a very small flat in Kensington so it’s an estate of £1m+

DH’s siblings have now come to ask if he will be giving them their share of the estate. That is, for the mum’s half, split between them. DH doesn’t want to give them anything as it was left to him. He also says the money is more useful for him than them as they’re retired or about to and own their own houses outright.

OP posts:
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Notabarbie · 24/05/2026 19:39

I don't see why DH should benefit just because the mother passed away first. I'd feel wrong making an advantage out of that.

TheZanyScroller · 24/05/2026 13:56

If his mother didn't leave a will then her wishes are sepculation. Ultimately, it's up to your DH what he choosea to with his inheritance.

Libertoo · 24/05/2026 11:59

Sorry but don’t agree this is necessarily the most logical way to deal with things. Dad is no relation to the kids that have crawled out from under their rocks. What if mums death left £50k? They get a third each of that so 17k - big difference to comparing the whole estate which they’re not entitled to.

Libertoo · 24/05/2026 11:54

His mum messed up, but by all rights all the money has been left to him (also it’s none of your business). Where did his mum write that her share should be split? Was it in her will? Or hearsay? If she wanted it split x-ways she should have made a will that split it, not given it all to her husband.

Oncemorewithsome · 23/05/2026 22:44

I would hope my kids would split the money in that scenario and I would definitely tell my DH to. It’s morally the right thing to do.
Money no object Id split it evenly three ways. But the most logically fair way is to split the estate into 50-50 dads and mums. Then split the 50% mum’s share three ways.
So if the estate was £1million, £500k would be mums side. So each sibling would get a 1/3 of that. Your DH would also gets his dad share. So would still have the majority of the estate.

Starzinsky · 23/05/2026 22:38

Sorry got distracted by the £1m being described as 'not an enormous sum'. Wow

ThatFlakyHam · 23/05/2026 22:33

i have seen a similar situation. There are few things i would consider. Especially before doing anything such as making any financial comments or commitments.

Its also far to consider the valuation of the mothers estate at the time of her ist marriage divorce, because your father may have paid mortgages, maintained the property's, since remarrying their mother. Money that wasn't spent on their new family at the time?. Were any gifts given by the mothers for weddings, house deposits etc. its not just right to focus on the value estate now and split that. A whole life picture has to be considered

.1) See a financial adviser. On a sum of this value there will be considerable IHT to pay. Some of which will likley become payable due before properties are sold.Who is going to fund that if so for example
2) Who has done any care, all the work clearing the properties, handling all the admin etc. has any help being offered?
4) Do consider that if the beneficiary receives money and then gives money away it becomes a gift from them not an inheritance and falls within gifting tax rules. Again a deed of variation can address this

in summary, Take proper advice and let it unfold carefully.

Whatever is given is likley to upset someone, and be more or less than someones expectations. Views on that will will vary wildly.Partners, children of the beneficiaries etc You cant win whatever you do so will be less than someone expected, so don't make any promises before taking advice

As others have said the mother should have left a will, or even a letter. she didn't so anything given does becomes a gift from the beneficiary, not an inheritance. and unless deed of variation is arranged there are also consequences to that

Good luck. And do then write your own will

Catdaddy1978 · 23/05/2026 20:11

hesbelleth · 17/05/2026 18:17

DH lost both of his parents quite young, when he was in his late 20s. His parents were both on their second marriage. He was adopted but only found out on his dad’s death.

His mum had two biological children with her first husband. They are in their late 50s, so much much older than DH. He sees them maybe 2-3 times a year, but growing up he didn’t really see them for a few years at a time. They’re both nice people.

When his mum died, she left his dad all of their property/money. She wanted her half to be split amongst her three children.

When DH’s dad died, he left everything to DH. It’s not an enormous sum but includes a very small flat in Kensington so it’s an estate of £1m+

DH’s siblings have now come to ask if he will be giving them their share of the estate. That is, for the mum’s half, split between them. DH doesn’t want to give them anything as it was left to him. He also says the money is more useful for him than them as they’re retired or about to and own their own houses outright.

He’ll find himself losing both of them over this and probably a big chunk of the money too if they take him to court. I say he splits it: what’s he going to do with over a million quid that he can’t do with £333k?

SBGM247 · 23/05/2026 19:01

hesbelleth · 17/05/2026 18:17

DH lost both of his parents quite young, when he was in his late 20s. His parents were both on their second marriage. He was adopted but only found out on his dad’s death.

His mum had two biological children with her first husband. They are in their late 50s, so much much older than DH. He sees them maybe 2-3 times a year, but growing up he didn’t really see them for a few years at a time. They’re both nice people.

When his mum died, she left his dad all of their property/money. She wanted her half to be split amongst her three children.

When DH’s dad died, he left everything to DH. It’s not an enormous sum but includes a very small flat in Kensington so it’s an estate of £1m+

DH’s siblings have now come to ask if he will be giving them their share of the estate. That is, for the mum’s half, split between them. DH doesn’t want to give them anything as it was left to him. He also says the money is more useful for him than them as they’re retired or about to and own their own houses outright.

None of your business tbh

BeAzureRaven · 23/05/2026 19:00

Burningbud1981 · 17/05/2026 18:20

What happened when the Mum died. Did she leave a will. Why wasn’t the estate split between the children and the husband then.

It should have been split. The Mum made a huge mistake. If you want an heir to receive something, PUT IT IN WRITING and have it done legally. And your DH should share, but that's his decision. Bad karma if he doesn't.

MyObservations · 23/05/2026 18:58

Yes, you are being unreasonable. You can make your point but then let him get on with it. His mother had the opportunity to divide her residual wealth with whomever she wanted. She chose your DH. That was his mum's decision. His siblings do not "have a share" because it's
a) not in the will and
b) because this is not France, where children cannot be disinherited.
Had you been an executor your obligation would be to carry out the deceased's wishes.
So yes, you are being unreasonable imo

BIossomtoes · 22/05/2026 20:22

PhaedraTwo · 22/05/2026 00:18

Aside from whether your spouse is honourable or not I think it's kind of weird to leave everything to Person A but with the expectation that Person A won't make use of what they got and will preserve it to pass to the mini-person As

Inheritance tax.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 22/05/2026 18:26

He should split it, and the fact he isn't would make me see him in a very different light. How do you have your will set up op? Be very careful about anything you leave to him.

PhaedraTwo · 22/05/2026 00:18

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/05/2026 23:56

Yep this thread alone is proof of that. I am sure that the OP's MIL was sure that if her widowed husband left it all to his only child, said child would vary it. Except he hasnt.......

Aside from whether your spouse is honourable or not I think it's kind of weird to leave everything to Person A but with the expectation that Person A won't make use of what they got and will preserve it to pass to the mini-person As

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/05/2026 23:56

Reallyneedsaholiday · 21/05/2026 23:34

Its literally your funeral, but mum's net is full of people who "knew" their spouses and were wrong.

Yep this thread alone is proof of that. I am sure that the OP's MIL was sure that if her widowed husband left it all to his only child, said child would vary it. Except he hasnt.......

Reallyneedsaholiday · 21/05/2026 23:34

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2026 20:36

I think I know my husband and my family. If he were to write a new will it would favour his kids. And they’d vary it before he was cold.

Its literally your funeral, but mum's net is full of people who "knew" their spouses and were wrong.

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2026 20:36

prh47bridge · 21/05/2026 20:34

His kids could not reverse it if he left it to a new wife or the local cat's home, nor could they reverse it if he remarries and dies without making a new will. In those scenarios they would not have any standing to change the will, and your child would only be able to make an Inheritance Act claim if they are still dependent on him when he dies or in serious financial trouble when he dies. And, of course, your husband could spend everything on himself, leaving your child with nothing.

There are only two ways you can guarantee your child inherits:

  • leave money directly to them
  • leave your husband a life interest in your estate with it passing to your child when he dies

Anything else risks your child ending up with nothing.

I think I know my husband and my family. If he were to write a new will it would favour his kids. And they’d vary it before he was cold.

prh47bridge · 21/05/2026 20:34

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2026 17:16

He won’t. And if he did his kids would reverse it. Because they’re decent human beings.

His kids could not reverse it if he left it to a new wife or the local cat's home, nor could they reverse it if he remarries and dies without making a new will. In those scenarios they would not have any standing to change the will, and your child would only be able to make an Inheritance Act claim if they are still dependent on him when he dies or in serious financial trouble when he dies. And, of course, your husband could spend everything on himself, leaving your child with nothing.

There are only two ways you can guarantee your child inherits:

  • leave money directly to them
  • leave your husband a life interest in your estate with it passing to your child when he dies

Anything else risks your child ending up with nothing.

BIossomtoes · 21/05/2026 17:16

Reallyneedsaholiday · 21/05/2026 16:23

He can make another will. You need to set up a trust, if you want your children to inherit, and don't want to leave it to them directly

He won’t. And if he did his kids would reverse it. Because they’re decent human beings.

Spirallingdownwards · 21/05/2026 16:38

eiteanpiobardubh · 17/05/2026 18:22

Yes. His mum's half should be split three ways between the three children of the mum. DH gets all of the dad's half.
DH - 2/3 of estate
Each half sibling - 1/6 of estate

The fact that the dad ignored his wife's wishes is immaterial. This is what the mum wanted to do with her estate so DH should honour that.

By the same logic if that is what the mum wanted to happen with her estate then she could have made that happen as part of her estate in her will but she chose not to.

Reallyneedsaholiday · 21/05/2026 16:23

BIossomtoes · 20/05/2026 10:12

He won’t. My child is the executor of his will. And his children wouldn’t stand for it.

He can make another will. You need to set up a trust, if you want your children to inherit, and don't want to leave it to them directly

Reallyneedsaholiday · 21/05/2026 16:22

WiseTealRaven · 18/05/2026 20:55

It wouldn't as there will be at least 200k in inheritance tax to pay out before its divided up.

There shouldn't be any inheritance tax payable

HelenaWilson · 20/05/2026 11:17

My child is the executor of his will.

He can make a new will at any time and name a different executor.

If he were to remarry, an existing will would become invalid.

He may become unemployed or disabled or need care in later life and all his assets spent so there is nothing left to distribute on his death.

CherryBlossom321 · 20/05/2026 10:26

It’s the right thing to do, but so many people in similar situations don’t/ won’t.

Denim4ever · 20/05/2026 10:17

I'd be inclined to share the inheritance with them if I was him. However, I don't think people in their 50s are necessarily retiring soon, most likely 67 or 68 unless they are already well off or don't want to carry on working.

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