inheritance - what's fair, what's right?

[ForGladOtter]

Hypothetical (not really) situation and I just would like others' take on it:

Two siblings inherit their parents' property which is now for sale. Sibling A is married with two children and is comfortably off. Sibling B is married with one child and is less financially well off. Sibling A would like the proceeds of the sale to be split three ways between the grandchildren. Sibling B would prefer a 50/50 split with the sibling. Sibling A thinks Sibling B is depriving the grandchildren of an equal share. Sibling B feels they are having to give up some their entitlement in favour of Sibling A's children. (Sibling B feels they also have more need of the financial windfall than Sibling A. It is acknowledged that their own circumstance is not the responsibility of the other. But it does feed into how they feel about the request for the 3-way split).

I would love to hear others' thoughts on this.

The answer is in your posts first five words in the second paragraph. Two siblings inherited, 50/50 to divide out as each wishes. Sibling A is a chancer

It's absolutely 50/50. Sibling A has absolutely no right to claim part of their siblings inheritance for their kids. I cannot believe they even had the audacity to suggest it.

A is an ass.

50/50 split between children. A grandparent might also decide to gift some directly to each grandchild (eg £1k each) so they have something from them.

It should be 50/50 between the siblings.

The next generation will inherit from the siblings. It shouldn't bypass the children to go straight to the grandchildren.

Follow wishes in the will. It was for the 2 siblings 50/50.

IF the gifter wanted it to go three ways to the grandchildren it would have been setup that way.

It’s 50/50.. the other way is simply not fair

50/50 the parents left the property to their two children not three grandchildren there is nothing to say beyond this. Each child can do what they like with their half not rewrite parents intentions.

It's amazing how often people's perception of what's fair gives them a better deal.

A is greedy.

The obvious answer. The second most obvious answer is split the inheritance five ways.

20% to each of the three grandkids, plus 20% each for the next two kids that OP is planning on having.

50:50 between siblings. Sibling A is a cheeky fucker. Show both siblings this thread. That should sort things out!

A should be ashamed of themselves. Not a very nice sibling, sadly.
This must be 50/50 to each sibling.

Although 50:50 between siblings is traditional, of course there may be other reasons for a parent to split an inheritance in other ways. (Up to the parent to stipulate this in their will though).

In our wider family we had an upset when a remaining parent died and split the inheritance like this:
Sibling 1 (25%) and their 2 x kids (25% each)
Sibling 2 (25%)

Sibling 2 was much aggrieved as they considered Sibling 1 to be getting 75% of estate! However executors made it clear that the money had been assigned on the basis of the following decisions:

• both siblings got equal share
• grandparent felt grandchildren were in greater need for future education/housing needs
• Sibling 2 had actually received a greater level of financial support from parents throughout their lifetime, including living in a second home they owned rent free

So it's not always as straightforward as 50:50.

50/50 between siblings OR a third for each of gc

siblings A & B to get half each, then it’s upto each of them to decide how much they want to give their children. No other way

It's a 50/50 split between the two siblings. What they then choose to do with it is up to them. Sibling A is taking the piss.

It is unethical to change what the parent's will stated. That is what they wanted. It is their will. It should be divided between the siblings and they are free then to choose what to do with the money.

Sibling A is taking the piss. Greedy sod. They can take their share and split it between their kids if they want.

If sibling B had 4 kids you can be sure this suggestion would not have been put forward!

Siblings inherit so siblings take their share and do what they feel fit with it.

We had a similar but different situation in which money was going to be left directly to grandchildren but the sibling with only one child wanted them to get multiples of what the others were getting (e.g. 3x the amount each one of 3 siblings would get). Oddly (or not!), that was the most affluent of the children wanting that too.
Simplest to say the money splits equally between children rather than grandchildren and they can do as they wish with it

It’s not even a question. Person A is fucking chancer!! Totally not fair on person B!

50:50 split end of!

I have children, my sibling does not. I am not well off and have no assets, my sibling has money, owns their own property and has very little living expenses due to what they do. I would be appalled if they were to have any inheritance from our parents split to be less than half to favour my children. My understanding is that when our surviving parent dies, their wills split their assets 50/50 between us, with no provision for grandchildren.

No quuetion. It needs to be split in accordance with the will.

Split equally between the two siblings.

How were they left in the Will?

If it was to siblings, then it’s 50/50. They can’t change that just because they want their kids to get more.

They chose to have more children. Why should you miss out?