Should inheritance always be split equally amount children?

[Purpleturtle45]

Should you always split inheritance equally between children or should you adjust it according to their individual circumstances like their income and whether they will get inheritance from their in-laws etc?

YANBU-equally is the only fair way
YANBU-take circumstances into account and adjust accordingly

Second option should be YABU

Equally unless you want your kids to row forever after you're gone

Equally.

I think disability should be taken into consideration.

Equally because you never know what is round the corner for anyone

Equally. They will equate it to your love for them. Rightly or wrongly. So equal is the only way.

I think assuming they all have good relationships, then of course, yes. You read all the time on here though, people who have awful relationships with their parents or with their adult children or who are NC so I guess its not always straightforward

equal. My siblings are richer than me because they worked harder than me. Why should they get less for succeeding? Or even marrying rich? Life is what it is. Rich, poor we all make choices, some of us get lucky. Do the right thing and split it down the middle in an equal share.

I strongly believe if you've had a lot of support from one child that it should be rewarded, as they have probably given up a lot of their own life to help you. Potentially that includes reducing their own earning potential.

Equally. I have a son with SEN but couldn’t imagine giving them different amounts. No way my mum would give me and my brother different amounts even though one out earns the other.

If you’ve not discussed it beforehand then equally. But if you think you might want to do it unequally the you need to talk about it before you die. Otherwise you’ll damage the siblings relationship.

Circumstances should play a part but only in so far as parents have contributed to them.
I have a friend who bought her own house while her brother lives in their parents' flat. The agreement is he gets the flat and she gets the more valuable family home in the will. The idea is that its balanced out by him getting 'value' now.
On the other hand if one child is simply earning less or has more children this doesn't seem a reason to inherit unequally.

Equally

Even if one child has given more support (that’ll be me) that’s a choice that is not motivated by money.

Oops picked the wrong one! YABU - equally. By the time the person dies any child’s circumstances may have changed dramatically. Equal is the only way.

Equally. It is shit being the one seen as 'capable' and therefore not deserving.

Equally. Like a PP one of my siblings is a millionaire. I would not expect them to receive less because I haven’t had the same life as them

Equally. Especially based on their in laws - what if they don’t get a penny? What if they divorce? What if the in law goes bankrupt?

If the children feel the split should be less even then they can do a deed of variation after the death (which is what a very, very very wealthy ex colleague of mine done for his siblings after their mum died, but you could tell he was very touched that his mum treated them all equally)

But you could split it unequally to benefit a disabled child and the day after the funds are handed over the able bodied child gets hit by a bus and can never work again while the disabled one wins millions in the lottery.

Equally. Always

I think circumstances should be taken into account. If one had a disability and really needs the money for facility or care after passing . I don't think potentian future inheritance should be taken into account. As for one being wealthier, I do think it should be equally divided but I really hope if other one is a multi-millionaire and the inheritance is just a bit of pocket change to them, there would be some arraingement where they could give it to their sibling. And I wouldnt think it was unfair that parent left more to the teacher than the premiere league footballer who still has sponsorship deals and £100mil in the bank.

But in general with average people I would say starting point is equal. In laws don't make a difference.

Yes I know.

I am currently trying to to work out my will and so on for my three DC, one of whom is disabled and can’t manage money. The whole thing is a nightmare.

Exactly, a very good point. It should be equal.

Equally. I can’t forgive my parent for showing favour to my siblings just because I worked harder and was more successful.

I don't think you can count on in-laws especially if they are well off. People don't get and stay rich by being overly generous. They could spend all their money in retirement or on their cat.

It has to be equal unless there's specific circumstances - disability care, or one child doing the lion's share of care.

I'm.biased on the second one, though. My DP's are splitting equally. DF would leave it all to DB if allowed, because, penis, but his DM tried that & it caused a huge rift, after she tried to leave aunt who cared for her for 30 years out of it just for being female. DF & one uncle had to give her most of their share, which they both needed, as one sibling refused to share.

In our case, I'm the one doing all the care, DB turns up twice a year for 24 hours and calls DF once every week or two. I incur costs in fuel, groceries & time. Tbh it should almost all come to me. FIL is the same. We are exhausted caring while our siblings live free & easy.