Inheritance straight to GC, skipping childless DC

[Shuk]

How would you feel if your parents left money to your nieces & nephews but not you or your siblings, and you don't have DC, but have possibly had more financial support as an adult than your siblings (though not as much as their dc will inherit)

YABU - no one is entitled to anything
YANBU - this isn't fair and likely to cause considerable upset

For context it's not my parents, and I have DC who would benefit. I think this is hugely unfair.

@diddl

I you inherited money & say gave your kid(s) a house deposit, could this later be classed as deprivation of assets or is there a way to protect against that?

You'd be well advised to use a deed of variation on the will. Basically, if all beneficiaries agree, the will can be rewritten however you like.

Legally, that means the money was never yours in the first place. It's really important from an inheritance tax point of view - if you received the money and just did a bank transfer, and then died within 7 years then (depending on the total value of your estate, including any money you'd given to the DC) they could find themselves with an inheritance tax liability on the money you gave them.

However, I think this also offers some protection from deprivation of assets claims. The law on it is complex though, and looks at things like whether you knew you were likely to need care when you gave away lots of money.

For many people, however, it is fairly irrelevant - if you have assets of over £23,250 (including your home, if you go into residential care) then you'll have to pay anyway.

It’s just got nothing to do with you, in my opinion. Have they asked if you have left them anything in your will if you go first? As you can see from the range of opinions here, it’s a minefield. If you think they are trying to be fair, then that’s enough, isn’t it?

Anyone has the right to do what they want with their own money. I have been on the wrong end of inheritance, and although it hurts that my Mum lied to me and my Sister has benefitted very nicely whilst I get nothing, I realised my hurt, anger and disappointment is only hurting me, so for my own sanity, have had to let it go

This is a terrible, hurtful thing to do. Why would any parent punish their child financially for not having children? Either it is a punitive judgment on a life choice, or even worse, on a misfortune that already will have made that child tremendously unhappy. It is definitely saying the child is worth less, or even worthless, because they haven’t produced offspring. The other siblings should urge the parents to rethink. Failing that they should give the childless sibling their share. Something gives me a feeling that these parents might also be expecting their childless son or daughter to care for them when they are old, despite being cut out of their will.

I think in a way it also depends on the ages of the DC & DGC. Are they concerned that money left to the DC without children will end up being inherited outside of the family? For example if the DC dies it will go to their spouse who would then leave it to their own siblings.

Why do people do this? I have seen so much hurt and fighting in families because people leave to grandchildren instead of children. Children should inherit equal amounts less any money owed or any inheritance already paid. Then it's up to the children to distribute to their own children (i.e. grandchildren) as they see fit.

Difficult one, depends on the 'financial support'. A 'helping hand' to get a deposit and on a house at just the right moment could be a huge benefit and passing the same sum of money to another at a later date might have missed out on the moment of opportunity. It shows that people should explain their gifts and wills and be fair and open about money and intentions.

I am one of seven children (the eldest).. I have no children. My Parents (in their 80's) only made their will approx 2 years ago. They were advised by their Solicitor to leave all monies and sale of the house to the seven children and then the 6 children who have children of their own can then either share their half with their own kids. I am the childless sibling, not married. Not financially healthy allthough the others are...yet over the years...done more and gave more to my Parents than any of the others. I would NOT be happy if my Parents left all what they had to the Grandchildren. Saying that...Certain siblings who have never done much or been around are now on the scene now that Parents health have detoriated ... I am being pushed out and I cant help wondering some underhandness is going on.

@maria57

I am one of seven children (the eldest).. I have no children. My Parents (in their 80's) only made their will approx 2 years ago. They were advised by their Solicitor to leave all monies and sale of the house to the seven children and then the 6 children who have children of their own can then either share their half with their own kids. I am the childless sibling, not married. Not financially healthy allthough the others are...yet over the years...done more and gave more to my Parents than any of the others. I would NOT be happy if my Parents left all what they had to the Grandchildren. Saying that...Certain siblings who have never done much or been around are now on the scene now that Parents health have detoriated ... I am being pushed out and I cant help wondering some underhandness is going on.

So, why would you be upset that neither you nor your siblings inherited?

Inheritance often causes issues. I think the fairest way is to split it equally between DC ( unless there has been an agreement that a DC has had some "Inheritance " already in which case that should be taken into account)
Then if DC want to immediately pass it into their own DC (DGC) they can.

@Idontcareboutthestateofmyhair

Why do people do this? I have seen so much hurt and fighting in families because people leave to grandchildren instead of children. Children should inherit equal amounts less any money owed or any inheritance already paid. Then it's up to the children to distribute to their own children (i.e. grandchildren) as they see fit.

But it is "fair" if all GC inherit equally, and no children of deceased do....it's fair. No children are getting any money.

What's unfair about it????

I think people should leave what they want, to whoever they want, whether it’s dc, gc or a local charity. Surviving relatives should just accept the deceased choices. It’s very sad that this causes so much upset.

@Runnerduck34

Inheritance often causes issues. I think the fairest way is to split it equally between DC ( unless there has been an agreement that a DC has had some "Inheritance " already in which case that should be taken into account) Then if DC want to immediately pass it into their own DC (DGC) they can.

Yes, but there's never a fair way to interpret "early inheritance".

Let's say there's Child A and Child B.

Child A was given £30k at 25 to buy a £300k house.
Child B didn't want to buy, was never given anything, with the understanding that they would get a larger inheritance.

As such, Parents decide that of the £100k estate; Child A receives £35k and Child B receives £65k.

Now Child B could claim it's "not fair" because Child A has a house that's now worth £500k, so they "got more" in the end as they were able to invest that £30k.into property...

Child A could claim it's "not fair" that the inheritance wasn't split equally,.afte rall ,it wasn't their fault the sibling wasn't INA position to buy during the parents lifetime

It's all just bollocks. People are essentially fucking greedy.

My mother decided the shares of her her WILL were to be 45% each to each of her daughters, and 10% to her DS. The reason for this decision was purely based on that her DS told the family (after a huge compensation claim) that if he lived till he was aged 100, he would never need another penny in his life! Her 2 daughters did not have good financial status. When sadly she passed, all hell was let loose because brother said it was unfair. We pointed out that this was our Mother's sole decision, based on what he said when he won a huge compensation.

00100001...dont understand your question???
I have not said that it would result in neither me or my siblings not inherit!
What my concern is that my 6 siblings will inherit and my portion of inheritance by being pushed out would go to the Grandchildren!

So they are really victimising someone for not having children.

I'm certain many have already said this but a person writes their will with INSTRUCTIONS as to how THEY want their estate to be passed on, to whoever THEY choose, it's not for anyone else to have any say in.

I have 2 sons but my will is written to benefit only one and he knows that I would be decidedly p*ssed off of he decided to share, thus going against my instructions.

it's not your money itsnot up to anyone to decide, why dose everyone have to start moaning about money/assets who gets it who dosnt bla blabla sickening shit fucking suck it up respect the person's wishes who cares about money if u actually care about the person who it actually belongs to grow up get a life work more if money matters stop sponging and pretending it's on another's behalf and maybe teach them to work aswell !!moaning on about somebody else's savings for god sake get a life

whingeing and moaning boo hoo it wasn't yours in the first place

This happened to a friend of mine. Her parents died and left absolutely everything right down to the last teaspoon to one grandchild who they had barely seen.
Completely overlooking the fact that they had 4 other grandchildren who they saw regularly.
The devastation that caused to the family was terrible.
I have a mirror will with my DH. When were both dead, it is split equally amongst our children, with a financial gift to each grandchild of equal amounts.

My parents would split equally between their 3 DC. Only reason they would skip a generation would be if there was a relationship/trust breakdown with that GC’s parent. So, to me, anything else does seem unfair. It’s like they don’t value anyone in their own right if they haven’t propagated their genes. Of course it’s up to them to do what they want with their own money but in your position I’d appeal to their better nature/remonstrate with them, especially as your sibling is currently unaware, and if that failed, then I’d try and rectify it after they died.

@00100001
Parents of the GC who get money benefit from not needing to help them financially at all. Driving lessons, university, help with a house deposit.
Meanwhile childless siblings get nothing!

You could 'argue' that childless sibling doesn't have any of the expenses that children bring. But this comes with a judgement that procreating is rewarded. In a society where parents are already more valued

I have 2 sons but my will is written to benefit only one and he knows that I would be decidedly pssed off of he decided to share, thus going against my instructions.*

Have you discussed this with the son you’ve effectively cut out of your life in this way?

[quote sanbeiji]@00100001
Parents of the GC who get money benefit from not needing to help them financially at all. Driving lessons, university, help with a house deposit.
Meanwhile childless siblings get nothing!

You could 'argue' that childless sibling doesn't have any of the expenses that children bring. But this comes with a judgement that procreating is rewarded. In a society where parents are already more valued[/quote]
Who is to say that the GCs will spend their inheritance on those things and not piss it up the wall?