Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that many people would wonder/fantasise about this potential inheritance?

184 replies

Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 18:15

Am posting for some external perspective.

DH and I come from very different families in terms of attitudes to money, my family are very open about money, I’ve always known what was in my parents wills, my grandparents wills, when my grandfather came into some money we had a family get together to discuss who was getting what in terms of my cousins and I etc.

DHs family are much more old fashioned and finances are akin to a state secret.

Now here is where the AIBU comes into play, DHs grandparents are extremely wealthy, they don’t ‘act’ it, there are small tells ( e.g.his grandfather if he pays for lunch opens his wallet and there is often £5k of cash in there!) but they don’t live in a mansion or eat caviar, although they definitely could afford to if they wanted. If you knew them you’d think upper middle class maybe, but not wealthy.

We get snippets of information as DHs grandfather talks to him about investments from time to time, they have ‘several’ BVIs, to make offshore accounts worthwhile you need millions in there, let alone to justify multiple of them. His work pension requires a team of accountants to manage it efficiently and they were approached a few months ago by one of their financial advisers to buy 25 luxury apartments in London, DH manages London properties so his grandfather asked him about it (only way we know this bit)

So although no one in the family knows how much there is, we know there is a lot (DH was also asked to look over the paperwork when his grandfather sold his last company and it sold for £15 million in 2007, so that’s the ‘minimum’ that is there, but he had 22 other companies throughout his lifetime and sold them all for nice amounts apparently over the course of the 90’s)

AIBU to think it’s only normal to wonder, if not fantasise about this when you know there is a potentially life changing amount of money out there that could be left to grand children (and by extension you)

Obviously the obligatory we know it’s their money, we don’t have a right to any of it and they might leave it all to a cat sanctuary, but I don’t think I ABU to wonder about it, like when people dream about winning the lottery, if it was a couple of hundred grand I’d not think about it, but I can’t imagine many people, knowing there could be tens of millions+ left to their husband/wife that wouldn’t think about it from time to time.

DH thinks it’s morbid to think about it at all and doesn’t care one way or another, as although they are well off they are somewhat tight with their cash and seem to hoard it over using it to support their family, so doesn’t pay it much attention.

YABU - I’d not pay any attention to the fact my family could be in for a windfall

YANBU - of course I’d have the odd dream about what fancy car I’d buy with all that money

OP posts:
MamaFirst · 27/12/2022 20:49

I would fantasise! All these high horse smugs attacking you, it's not like you're poisoning his morning cornflakes ffs 🙄

cantba · 27/12/2022 20:50

@bibbif its not my area but i have been asked to bvi qualify to deal with the influx of transfers of assets out of bvi. What i do know is that people that were previously using bvi for anonimity are moving those assets back on shore as the off shore players (eg bvi) are reporting the assets so its no longer possible to hide in the same way. The tax advantages were diminished a long time ago. A good thing in my view.

Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 20:50

DairyDiary · 27/12/2022 20:19

Then he’s as nasty as you are and I hope they don’t give either of you a penny. And I hope your grandchildren have a nice chuckle about your death for good measure. Not nice, is it? However, that’s clearly bollocks because no DH tells you that he disapproves of you wishing his family dead but then giggles about it when you double down.

You asked, don’t get pissy because you don’t like the answer. Sounds like you need to lighten up tbh.

Are you unable to read or something?

Who is chuckling at death, no we are laughing at you, and other posters taking this so seriously.

when has he said he disapproves of me wishing his family dead?

firstly I’m not wishing anyone dead, and secondly he doesn’t disapprove of anything, just thinks it’s weird to even wonder about it, hence the post.

Thankfully he has conceded I’m the more ‘normal’ one as the vote is quite clearly in my favour

OP posts:
Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 20:53

Pumperthepumper · 27/12/2022 20:23

Ask him how come his grandad’s standard men’s wallet holds 100 £50 notes often.

It was funny when you said his grandad was in poor health and only had approx. seven years left. No wait, not funny; tacky.

Well he is in poor health, and I mention 7 years as that’s how long usually people need to last before any gifts given in that timeframe are impacted tax wise.

I’d not count on him having 7 years so understand why he isn’t giving much away now, which was the context to that comment.

OP posts:
bibbif · 27/12/2022 20:53

@Afterfire sorry to hear that

cantba · 27/12/2022 20:55

@Tiltedandwilted i think you are getting roasted here unnecessarily. If dgf does has the wealth you suspect i think i might be fantasing about my new life too. Just don't get your hopes up - that's probably why your dh can't discuss it - sounds like he had been let down by his family a few times.

Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 20:55

MamaFirst · 27/12/2022 20:49

I would fantasise! All these high horse smugs attacking you, it's not like you're poisoning his morning cornflakes ffs 🙄

Might not be poising cereal but clearly am rubbing my hands with glee Grin

OP posts:
DairyDiary · 27/12/2022 20:56

Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 20:50

Are you unable to read or something?

Who is chuckling at death, no we are laughing at you, and other posters taking this so seriously.

when has he said he disapproves of me wishing his family dead?

firstly I’m not wishing anyone dead, and secondly he doesn’t disapprove of anything, just thinks it’s weird to even wonder about it, hence the post.

Thankfully he has conceded I’m the more ‘normal’ one as the vote is quite clearly in my favour

You really need to lighten up and have a mince pie. Not sure why you’re getting so worked up and angry about a “lighthearted” thread.

Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 20:57

cantba · 27/12/2022 20:55

@Tiltedandwilted i think you are getting roasted here unnecessarily. If dgf does has the wealth you suspect i think i might be fantasing about my new life too. Just don't get your hopes up - that's probably why your dh can't discuss it - sounds like he had been let down by his family a few times.

Yeah DH has been let down a lot by his family so isn’t in the fantasising camp, but I do enough for the both of us!

The order of them all dying would need to be quite specific to even think about getting anything so we know it’s a pipe dream, hence why it’s weird so many on here are getting their knickers in a twist

OP posts:
pollyglot · 27/12/2022 21:13

"Posting here for external perspective" doesn't sound like the opening sentence of a lighthearted thread.

You are simply being crass beyond belief. "My gang is bigger than your gang, so I'm right..." . "You'd think them upper middle class, not wealthy"? Just what? It's terribly bad taste to discuss money/carry huge wads of cash about/chat about what you might inherit, specially with your ill-informed comments about inheritances' being matrimonial assets. Private musings, perhaps, but posting on a public forum? And then sinking to snarky ad hominem arguments?

Still, money can't buy class, nor good taste.

Fifi00 · 27/12/2022 21:17

No because I'd rather have the family member alive. Yuck inheritance is such a tacky thing to fuss over.

123ROLO · 27/12/2022 21:17

Yanbu

Though definitely one of those things you aren't meant to say out loud.

I have simular thoughts, my mum has had no relationship with her mum for 20 years (she was an abusive woman). I know nothing of her current wealth (could be nothing) but I know she came from quite a wealthy family and was very frugal. It has crossed my mind that my mum could receive a very unexpected inheritance. My mum also has a rich aunt (also equally unpleasant and abusive). No ones heard from her in years but she owned land and hotels, she had no children, so same thought applies. I don't wish them dead but as they have to go at some point I'd love for my parents to get a lumpsum to see them into a plush retirement out of it. Probably not going to happen, but it's been a passing thought

Remaker · 27/12/2022 21:18

I think the main issue is there’s another generation in line ‘ahead’ of you and no guarantee that grandchildren will inherit. And despite it feeling lighthearted if you start spending the money in your fantasies for too long it might come as a genuine disappointment if you don’t get any.

A friend of mine has always talked openly about her inheritance. Her parents are in good health and going on holidays and cruises and she resents them spending ‘her’ money. She is contemplating quitting her job in anticipation of the inheritance. It hasn’t been healthy for her.

Fifi00 · 27/12/2022 21:21

My DGM died and left me a small sum , I'd give anything to have her back she died when I was 17. People out there love your FIL and would be devastated by his death.

NameChagaiiiin · 27/12/2022 21:21

Tiltedandwilted · 27/12/2022 18:41

Do you not understand how bank banding works?

There are bands of £50’s in there, often 5 bands, it tends to be £1k in each.

So he has 100 notes minimum in his wallet?
Must be a big wallet.

TwoMonthsOff · 27/12/2022 21:23

Tony Soprano rolls his wad up - much more practical

girlfriend44 · 27/12/2022 21:25

Wait and see what happens its not your money and it may never be.
Best to make your own money if you can . It's yours then.

GirloutofAfrica · 27/12/2022 21:28

Have your fantasies, just don't wish anyone dead or speak about it or else in Africa we might think you are a witch 😉

WeAreBorg · 27/12/2022 21:31

@Tiltedandwilted
You must be so terribly crass to NOT EVEN KNOW ANYTHING about wealth management! Do you not have any millions of your own? No trust funds??? You probably bank in a peasant bank like Barclays! I bet your measly estate barely tips the IHT threshold!

And to even think about the death of a man in the bloom of youth, a mere 80-year-old boy! The horror!

WhatIsThisPlease · 27/12/2022 21:43

I think fantasising to your DH about how you'll spend his family money once his parents have died is a bit tasteless to be honest.

Keep the thoughts to yourself.

RedHelenB · 27/12/2022 21:47

jollygoose · 27/12/2022 18:46

well I would certainly be very nice to him!

I think he'd see through that.

Bard6817 · 27/12/2022 22:31

I fantasise about my step dads inheritance to me.

Under Scottish law, because i was adopted im entitled to half no matttet what the will states.

However, i suspect he has found a mechanism around it and perhaps gifted it away to my step sibling already.

The fantasy bit is where the executor gets in touch and i say, can i get it diverted to my two nieces and into a trust of sorts, because i don’t want a penny of his money and i don’t trust my step sibling not to waste it. I get to imagine him looking up or down on my and me sticking my two fingers up at him.

Youcunnyfunt · 27/12/2022 22:40

Fantastise as much as you like, I used to look on rightmove at beautiful large houses (but I’ve been comfortable - not wealthy - for a few years now and have stopped as I just don’t feel the need / craving anymore). No harm in looking!

Just make sure you also spend time doing the things you love, in the life you have now 😊 if you have a balance between fantasy and reality, that is fine.

and never bank on inheritance. My ex was obsessed with planning ahead for his inheritance - he has fallen out with his dad since and he is still very much alive so it is useless thinking “what if…” until it’s current circumstances. So much can happen.

blueflagflyhigh · 27/12/2022 22:51

Well it's nice to think about getting the money but joy situation. I would wonder whether I would be seeing any of it though. Surely it's quite an usual situation to not know if you will inherit, even in private families. My dh family don't ever talk money or anything but when the will was changed to include someone else he was told about it (so as not to be a shock later down the line when they aren't here anymore).

What I don't get is why they don't pass some of it on to you now when they are alive. They obviously aren't going to spend it all or anywhere near it. They can watch their family enjoying the benefits of this money. It could also become a potentially exempt transfer (pet) if they go on to live another 7 years, it would not count towards the inheritance tax bill. So that's a win win!

Justgorgeous · 27/12/2022 22:57

Is it a Gucci man bag ? I can’t imagine £5,000 fitting in a wallet.