Another inheritance one...

[TW1984]

My aunt died in November - my dad's sister.
She had no children and her husband died around a decade ago. Her only living family are my dad, me and my brother, and our children.
My dad spoke to my Aunt regularly and visited her often. My brother and I visited her when we could, and had her round for Christmas etc in her last years. I wrote to her regularly between visits, and she wrote back - not estranged or strained relationship at all.
Her will has just been read. She has left her house to a couple she met on holiday around 30 years ago, and maintained a friendship with. She has left the money in her bank account (almost quarter of a million ££) to her friends daughter.
She has left my dad, my brother and I one hundred pounds each.

I wasn't expecting anything (much), but am I being unreasonable to feel insulted by what she has left her family, compared to her friends?
I could understand it more if we were distant, but we weren't!
The will was written 15 years ago and has remained unchanged in that time, so I don't think it was anything to do with the friends putting last minute pressure on her...

My DSF left a grand to his ex-wife so that she could not claim he had simply forgotten her. She could not claim under the Family Provision Act (clean break order under the divorce, far too favourable to DSF but that was he problem) and he was concerned she would challenge the will and tie us all up in court. She didn't try.

OP Painful for you - but move on.

You mentioned that her brother (your dad) "came into" money I also think this may hold the key. Did your aunt take the view that your side of the family already had enough? The £100 each is clearly intended to send a message - your dad may have more idea about this than you. Does it stem from some old grudge?

Gaspode They did consider it but do not really know them- they moved away from where DH grew up when they were small children.
Advice from solicitor was not to do it- on the basis that Grandma had explained in the will why she left her estate as she did. Solicitor said the decision was hers to make and who were they to decide she was wrong- but said it was up to them. Questioned how they would decide what to give cousins, reminded them that DH ad SIL have their own families now.
It was a difficult decision to make. DH said he felt like they should do it in one way but Grandma had the choice and she was clear about what she did. He also said that once he knew the estate had been left to him and SIL the sense of financial security it gave him for our family influenced the decision he came to. SIL said the same. I think they also saw that their cousins had had almost no relationship with Grandma- did not even visit when she was very ill. One had not seen her in about 9 years, just sent a Christmas card and not even that on her last Christmas.The other had telephoned very rarely.
Money is very divisive.

These types of thread do make me wonder if wills should have a time limit to their validity. A will can be made then stand for 30 years without being looked at. The provisions made reflect the circumstances of 30 years ago.

I’d think it was strange too, I’d prefer her to have left the money to the cats home rather than like this. You just have to focus on the fact you know you had a good relationship with your aunt and not what her last wishes are saying.

DoubleAces, you're clearly having a bad day. Seeing you popping up on multiple threads just being mean and a GF.

OP - I totally understand how you are feeling, I personally think you are justified in feeling like that, and most people would have the same confusion (regardless of what they may post on here )

Maybe those friends had a very sad story, that struck a chord with her, or something happened that we don’t know of, that they supported her through

Bet the whole £100 on a sporting event! Might reap more (*disclaimer, more likely to end up with zero)

@LuluJakey1, thanks for filling in the background there. In that case I can see very clearly why your dad and aunt decided to stick to the terms of the will. How right you are, that money can be very divisive.

DH and SIL, not dad and aunt.