To suggest that if you have been disinherited

[Beedance]

You should consult a lawyer.

Really? Why? It’s not illegal is it?

I worked with someone who disputed a will. Cost them a fortune and the inheritance all went on solicitors bills not to mention the mental toll. Their only satisfaction was that the other party got nothing but was it worth it?

I don’t think you should tbh. My mum was completely disinherited and, within the same will, my brother and I had ‘our shares’ redistributed amongst 3 of our cousins so they got 20 x what we did!! One cousin was never in the will at all. All the badly affected parties just shrugged their shoulders and will never remember the person in the same way.

I’m genuinely interested to know why?

Inheritance isn’t guaranteed and there is no legal entitlement to inheritance.
A person can legally leave their entire estate to whomever they please.

No-one should expect an inheritance. If you do get one then that's great but I'd much rather my parents spent all of their hard-earned money on themselves before they pass.

No, I don't think anyone should be entitled to anything to be honest. If someone chooses not to leave you something in a will then that is up to them.

People can leave their inheritance to whoever they want, if you dont get anything then thats just tough. If you think a will has been altered without the deceaseds authorisation then thats a different matter.

I think this links to another thread. If so, I agree with you OP!

Why?

I was disinherited by my mother, she left about 500k to various neighbours and people she hadn’t seen in 20 years. Was her choice. I doubt I’d have got anywhere, I’m not entitled to an inheritance. She was of as sound mind as she ever was so could choose who to leave it to.

Though I believe if someone is a minor and can demonstrate that the deceased has being funding them in the past they might have a claim?

Also you can’t be disinherited in Scotland?

Disagree. The will is a legacy document and money is transient. One shows the character of an individual and the other means nothing.

In the UK and US you can do what your want with your money.

Disinheriting someone is cruel. Some people like being cruel especially when unlike most forms of cruelty this is legal.

Why?

My father had 4 children. One got something, two got mentioned specifically stating that they weren't to get anything, and the fourth was not mentioned at all. He was not a nice man and as far as three of us were concerned he could have left it all to charity. His money was tainted.

@AgnesNaismith

Disagree. The will is a legacy document and money is transient. One shows the character of an individual and the other means nothing.

Very true. My mother meant to be cruel and hurtful. Well it backfired as I felt totally vindicated. Proves beyond doubt that I was correct about her. I’d have been more upset if she’d left me all her money!

Is this a TAAT OP as there has been a popular inheritance thread today?

@Supersimkin2

In the UK and US you can do what your want with your money.

Disinheriting someone is cruel. Some people like being cruel especially when unlike most forms of cruelty this is legal.

It’s only cruel if someone has an expectation of receiving something

Tbh, the cult of inheritance only seems to exist on MN

I have several friends who were not included in wills, or had estates divided up unequally between family and none of them seemed particularly bothered by it

But then lots of people seem to factor potentially inheritance into their financial planning and are then shafted when it’s not what they hoped for

Like Pp said, I assume I’ll get nothing and anything I do is a bonus. But it doesn’t factor into any of my life plans so I won’t be contesting any wills I’m left out of

I don't say why not. Family members tend to be disinherited due to coercion or as punishment.

Tbh, the cult of inheritance only seems to exist on MN

I think that's nonsense & of course it's wise to count on nothing. However it's natural to feel aggrieved if you are left out but your siblings get 1m each, etc.

Well I suppose you can get legal advice.

@LemonViolets

I’m genuinely interested to know why?

Inheritance isn’t guaranteed and there is no legal entitlement to inheritance.
A person can legally leave their entire estate to whomever they please.

Not true. There are legal rights under Scots law

Under Scots Law, as per the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964, Legal Rights are an entitlement available to a spouse, civil partner and children of the deceased, no matter if they die with a will (testate) or without a Will (intestate), to a share of the deceased’s worldwide net moveable estate.

Completely disagree. Whoever has whatever amount of money/assets, they’re free to leave to whomever or whatever they want in their will.

Bar an immensely clear cut case of coercion (basically they’ve signed the will “Joe Bloggs is forcing me to sign this and I don’t mean it at all”) by contesting a will because you feel aggrieved not to have inherited you’re on a hiding to nothing.

And rightly so. No one is owed anything in this life.

I should have been clear that I’m talking about England (and Wales?) - another poster has rightly called out that it’s different in Scotland!

Oh, and in Scotland you have up to 20 years after death of the testator to lodge a claim for legal rights.

Get legal advice if you're a financial dependent of the deceased and unable to fend for yourself, or if you feel the deceased lacked capacity and was coerced (with proof). Otherwise don't throw good money after bad. Focus on funding your lifestyle by your own efforts.

My hideous mother divided her "estate" between my two sisters and left me nothing. It hurt a lot, especially as I thought I had a better relationship with her than the other two. I really could have done with the money at the time too. I had to learn to live with it and let it go or fester forever