What should I write in my will?

[Felixfriend]

I am single, no children. Mum still alive. Full sister two years younger than me, two half sisters, 18 and 20 years older than me.
I have good relationships with all of them, naturally I am closer to my younger sister as we grew up together, whereas I barely lived with my older siblings, but we all care very much for each other and get together for all birthdays, Christmas etc.

If I die while my mum is still alive, then everything I own will go to her.
But what about if I die after she does?

As I have 3 siblings, is a 3-way split the fairest thing to do?

The only thing holding me back is that the older two are financially much more secure as you might imagine what with them being so much older, both have paid off their mortgages and are looking at retirement in the next 5-10 years.

My little sister, by comparison, is age 30 and still renting in a houseshare. She works hard and has a good job (higher earning than one of my older siblings) but she lives in an expensive city and it’s tough out there right now.

I don’t know if this is relevant too, but one older sister has two children (in their 20s). So if that sister predeceases me then they would get her share between them (I presume?). Other sisters have no partners or children, so I don't know who would get their share. (Am I overthinking this?)

I would never ever want money to sour a relationship between my siblings, what do you think would be the fairest way to split it?

(Of course I hope to be around for many years more and hope this will not happen for quite a while to come!)

[TeenDivided]

50% full sister, 25% each half sisters in recognition they are established already.
Don't pass money up the generations unless it is needed.
Review your will regularly and definitely if your Mum dies.

What you write now isn't fixed in stone forever. Don't overthink it.

[readsalotgirl63]

Everyone should have a will. It makes life much easier and less distressing for those left behind to deal with it.

[Aconitum]

Just to add, if it does end up being anything like I wrote above ( which is not advice by the way) you do need a solicitor to draft it. Just missing out or adding one word can completely change the meaning of a will.

[TokenGinger]

Honestly at this point, I wouldn't even worry about a will. It'll all naturally go to your mum as next of kin in the event of your death.

You would probably want to consider writing one in the event you lose your mum to make it clear it gets split a certain way for your sisters, providing you're not married or have children by then.

[Aconitum]

If you leave it to your mother absolutely and she predeceases you it goes to her estate and is then distributed in accordance with her will, by her executors (if no will then intestacy rules apply).

I would be more inclined to go 50/25/25 (if you don't think this would cause bad feeling) if your sisters survive you and if they have predeceased, then their share to go to your full sister rather than to your half sister's partners or children.
Be aware that if you did this and your full sister predeceases you then it would go to her estate (see above).

People often forget that you have to have an end point somewhere. You can add that if none of your sisters survive you then your estate will pass to your nephews and nieces (or their estates if they don't survive you) in equal shares absolutely so that it ends with them.

[FadedRed]

20% each to your mum and half-sisters, the remaining 40% to your full sister?
And if you have any ‘treasured’ possessions then you can leave instructions for these to go to named people.

[Felixfriend]

Thanks for the replies, glad it doesn’t seem too unreasonable to leave more to the younger sister. I don’t think the older ones would resent it, but I would hate them to think I loved them less because of the ‘half’. Including a letter is a good idea.

Mum doesn’t need the money, I just thought as my next of kin it would naturally be best going to her?

I’m just doing this now because I have bought a house and have been advised by friends that I should write one, although I do hope it’s an unlikely scenario to arise.

[Dinoteeth]

I'd skip your mum, no point in money going up the generations.
I think I'd do 50% to younger sister and 25% to each of your older sisters.

[WeddingQ]

you are still very young and your mum is still alive so hopefully this won't be an issue but I don't think you are unreasonable leaving more to your younger sister. I don't think there is any value in having a conversation with them now as it is so unlikely that anything will happen but it might be worth leaving a letter explaining why you did it and that it was based on financial reasons to support your younger sister as opposed to you treating your half sisters different to your full sister if that makes sense.
I think it depends how you write your will whether you sisters share would go to her kids if she died before you or go back into the pot to be shared between your other two sisters.

[Craftybodger]

The first thing is does your mum need the money? If not you may just be reducing what she will pass on to others after her days because of inheritance tax.

I’d be inclined to leave the majority to your sister, with maybe a smaller share to your half sisters. Have you got anything small but meaningful that you could leave your half sisters instead?

[balalake]

I think an even split, and probably you may want to make a new will after your mum dies, should your mum die before you, which although never certain is the most likely thing to happen.

After having a family member die without a will, I think you are doing the right thing to make one.

[Marmight]

I would go 70/15/15 to help your younger sister out more but not leave out your older sisters
Does your mum need the money? Could your assets be swallowed up by care home fees in the future?
Personally, I think money should flow across a similar generation or to the younger ones unless an older relative is in dire need.

[Felixfriend]

Anyone?
I know I probably need to talk to a solicitor, just interested in people’s opinions on the matter? It’s emotional as much as its legal.