Should two adult children be treated differently re inheritance, because one has children and the other one does not, by choice or not?

[fungipie]

I would argue that they should both be treated the same.

When it comes to inheritance it's entirely up to the person writing the will, it's their money.

Thanks, and there is nothing wrong with this.

The UK inheritance system is very different from most European ones- where children have to inherit equally.

My in laws have split their estate equally between their children. Some have DC, some have none.

My parents have weighted their estate between their children depending on how many dependents each of their children has.

Nobody thinks anyone loves anyone less or more than anyone else, because all the children are adults and have fully functioning brains in their heads. My parents have had long discussions with their children, my in laws have done the same with theirs. All four grandparents still alive, everything is settled, everyone knows where everyone stands, everyone is happy and free to focus on what matters.

I think it depends on the age of the grandchildren to an extent.

All children of the person leaving the inheritance should get equal amounts, including if the children are still small. Adult grandchildren perhaps will inherit a little in their own right because the grandparent already knows what might help them most - ie uni fees, house deposit, holiday, savings or perhaps something material that is passed down because the grandchildren has more interest in it than anyone else.

Cash needs to be split 50:50 so that half goes to one side of the family and the other half goes to the other side of the family. It’s irrelevant who has kids and who doesn’t.

money needs to be shared equally between the deseased persons children and in turn that cash filtered down to grandchildren if desired.

In an ideal world, I would say equally although in some circumstances I can understand why there may be provisions made for any offspring who may need long term care.

Having spent the last couple of decades living with and caring for parents and making their house fit for their deteriorating needs, I may not be the best person to ask.

I’ve just been told that my sibling’s children have been left everything. Apparently not an inconsiderable amount and it includes the house I live in with them.

It is their money to do with as they please of course. It just feels like the ultimate kick in the teeth.

When someone dies, or before, when they are talking about their will, how it is divided up is more than money, it is a representation of your parents love for you. People who don't see that are dense.
To be told that you will not receive anything or receive less because you don't have children for whatever reason, is reinforcing the message that those of us who made the decision not to have children/couldn't hear on a regular basis - friends, family, wider society - that our lives and choices are less important than our children siblings and that we are valued less.

It hurts.

My brother has been vocal that he thinks he should get more than me because he has children and I don't. Not just inheritance either - things like demanding the piano that I had learnt to play on that my parents were keeping until I had a house big enough to have it because his daughter was learning and it should go to a grandchild. He'd never touched the thing.

My parents are resisting but he's making their life difficult and I've told them not to worry about it because I earn well and will have a good pension (he won't becauseof poor life choices). I'd rather they save themselves the stress but they are adament they will be fair.

Each branch of the family tree should be allocated the same amount of money. The will can allocate that branch’s money within the generations of that branch as appropriate.

the exception is if one sibling is profoundly disabled and needs lifetime care.

That's totally unfair, it leaves the adult child only with 50k instead of 100k!

I totally agree with you 👍👏

Why should having a child make you more worthy of inheriting from your own parents?

Inheritance should drop to the next generation. So equally split between two children. Unless one of the children has died, then their share passes to the children of that child.
Anything more than token amounts to any grandchild is unfair (if the adult children are still alive). They can wait their turn or be gifted an amount from the inheritance from their own parent.

3 siblings in our family - two with kids one without. We were all left the same but the grandkids were all left money seperately.

Both the same, with money also directly to each grandchild if the person wishes.

Generally equal shares is fair but I know of people who have given their disadvantaged child a larger share because they need it more.

Two important things: First, no one has a ‘right’ to an inheritance and secondly the person making the will should be upfront about its contents to all potential beneficiaries.

They both get the same so it's fair. The grandchildren could be adults and the money could be a huge help.

In my humble opinion

Giving equally to your dc is fair.

Giving to your dgc individually, to be received when they are adults (not to pay their parent bills/school fees), then your own dc equally is fair.

Paying dgc's school fees to the tune of £300k for one of your dc leaving the other with absolutely no inheritance is not fair.

It should not depend on whether or not they have procreated but on numerous factors. Who needs the money more? Did one help the elderly parent more to stay independent at the detriment of their own career and life while the other swanned about on holiday/at work/living their life?

As said above, no, not me. I was annoyed that comments on the other thread were closed, so decided to ask for opinions.

There is no should or shouldn’t about it. The person can leave their money to whoever they wish. This obsession with inheritances on here is in very poor taste. I’d leave everything to the local dog shelter if I had some of you for family.

Your brother sounds like an awful, grasping, greedy human being!
I am petty so I would fight tooth and nail for that piano (or smash it up before he got his hands on it!).
I understand you don't want to give your parents any stress and think that is very noble of you, your brother in the other hand is pond life.

I’d say the same

Treated the same and sibling with children can gift to children as they wish

And if there is another grand child born the year after the grandparent dies? It it fair on them that their siblings/cousins have uni paid for/house deposit available and they don't?