Does my will seem fair to you?

[ouipamplemousse]

I am single, childless and writing my will.

This is my family:

My mother (father passed away). She’s in reasonably good health and a secure financial position (although by no means wealthy).

Half sister A (shared our father) is 62, recently retired, financially comfortable, mortgage paid off, married and adult children flown the nest.

Half sister B (same parents as Sister A)is 58, single and childless, not especially well off financially, but has recently paid off her mortgage.

Then there’s me (41, single, childless)

And my younger brother, age 33 who is a full sibling. He is also single and childless, not yet a homeowner, trying to save up for a house deposit. He works in the charity sector which he is passionate about, but is unlikely ever to earn a big salary.

Despite all us siblings being spread apart in age, we are close and all care for each other dearly. I am also close to my three nieces and nephews, who are similar in age to me and my brother.

My next of kin is my mother, but if I leave everything to her, then it will eventually pass to my brother, and nothing will go to my half sisters or nieces and nephews.

So I’m thinking of splitting everything three ways, equally between my three siblings.

However, I feel awful not leaving anything to my mother, if I should die before her.

I also wonder how my younger brother would feel, given that he is my full sibling, much younger and comparatively speaking needs the money much more than my older sisters.

I know there’s no right or wrong way to make these decisions, but what do you think would be fairest way to do it? I just want to avoid any disappointment or hurt feelings, should the worst happen.

Thanks.

Your friend is right. Anyone can die suddenly.
I would leave it equal shares to your mum and all your siblings. If your mum dies before you then her share goes back into the estate. If a sibling dies before you, their share goes to their children.
nobody could be hurt by this.

Will you mind if your brother donates his share to the charity he is impassioned about?
(My will does not include my siblings just their children.)

I'd do 1/2 to the brother and a 1/4 to each sister. The sister can always choose to give some to their kids if they wish.

I would split it by thirds between your siblings, with the provision that if Sister A predeceases you, her share goes to her children.

If either Sister B or Brother predecease you, you could either redistribute the money accordingly (i.e. split it in half instead of thirds) or bequeath that third to a library, donkey refuge, charity of choice.

Is there tax implications for siblings as here in lreland there would be? I would try to lessen that as much as possible. Is your mortgage written off on your death? If it is l would leave house to dB and divide cash between two sisters.

I would do a third to your brother and then split the remainder between your niece and nephews. That way it all goes to people who are younger. Have it so that if your brother has children they are included in the niece/nephew split.

Please don't do this - you would effectively be disinheriting your younger half-sister, which is unfair and would be hurtful for her.

No, she wouldn't be giving any money to either of her sisters, not just the younger one.
The kids money doesn't mean the parents money.

Besides what's the point in inheriting money when you are likely to be over 80 and comfortable, but the youngest generation is struggling? I mean she could hold onto the money to give to others when she dies, but it just means that it will be taxed twice instead of once.

But if you leave money to the sister's children, you're acknowledging her through them.

OP can always change her will further down the line if her siblings get older and (even) more financially comfortable, but for now I think it really has to be shared fairly between her siblings (whether 1/3 each or 50/25/25). I would probably leave a fixed sum to nieces and nephews, personally. But I don't see why childless people shouldn't get anything.

There is no you get half sister. There are two older half sisters who both won’t inherit but their children will.

I meant the younger of the two; I know they are both older than the OP. And one of them has children but the other doesn't. Where is the logic in leaving money to one child-free sibling (OP's brother) but not another (OP's half-sister, the younger of the two)?