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Original poster

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

426 replies

ForGladOtter · 30/07/2025 12:11

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.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 30/07/2025 12:22

Spilt 50/50 between siblings, as that’s what was inherited so that’s fair. A is a CF trying to get a bigger share.

PestoHoliday · 30/07/2025 12:22

It was left to the siblings so 50/50 is the only fair outcome.

Had it been left to the grandchildren thirds would have been fair, but it wasn't.

Sibling A is a CF trying to give their children an advantage.

SparklyGlitterballs · 30/07/2025 12:23

MorrisZapp · 30/07/2025 12:15

If there's a will, split accordingly. If intestate, it splits at the closest living class of kin, so 50 50 between the two siblings. The grandchildren are irrelevant.

This is all that matters. Sibling A doesn't get a say as the proceeds will be split either according to the will or the intestacy laws.

latenightlights · 30/07/2025 12:23

It's up to sibling A and B to decide for how many children they can provide for before they bring them to the world.

The only fair arrangement is to split 50/50 between siblings and they can decide how to split this further if they wish.

Moveoverdarlin · 30/07/2025 12:24

Split 50 / 50 and leave the grandchildren out of it.

candlestock · 30/07/2025 12:24

Divide equally between siblings then siblings can decide re their dc

Newnamesagain · 30/07/2025 12:24

Split between siblings.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 30/07/2025 12:26

The executors need to follow the will, which as I understand from the OP means that the siblings inheriting 50:50 What each sibling choses to do with their share is of course up to them., but sibling B has absolutely no obligation legally or morally to transfer anything to the children of sibling A. If that's what the grand parents had intended then that's what they should have put in their wills. They didn't, so presumably it wasn't!

VoooooooooooV · 30/07/2025 12:26

Obviously 50/50 between the siblings. The wealth of the siblings is irrelevant and the number of grandchildren is irrelevant.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 30/07/2025 12:27

I wonder what would happen if sibling B had 10 kids? Would sibling A really be happy with splitting it between the grandkids? I very much doubt it.

Samscaff · 30/07/2025 12:29

If the deceased parents had wanted to leave their property to be split equally between their grandchildren, they could have made a will stating that. Since they didn’t, we can assume that they wanted the normal rules of inheritance to apply, i.e. the property is split equally between their two offspring.

Person A is being ridiculous. It’s not their decision, it was their parents' decision. They are being greedy and disrespectful to try to change that.

Ddakji · 30/07/2025 12:30

The siblings have inherited therefore the money goes to them.

Soontobe60 · 30/07/2025 12:33

Clearly the split should be made according to the Will if there is one. If not, and the person has died intestate, then the estate will be split equally between the siblings unless both siblings choose to do a Deed of Variation to come to some other arrangement.
Either way, discussing who should get what when a parent / grandparent dies is rather crass don't you think?

Original poster
ForGladOtter · 30/07/2025 12:34

"Inherit" was probably the wrong term to use. Ownership of the property was transferred to the siblings. One parent is still alive but living elsewhere and has no will. This parent does not tend to make thought-out or firm decisions as she just likes to "keep everyone happy".

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 30/07/2025 12:34

xyzandabc · 30/07/2025 12:16

The first sentence says the siblings inherited the property which is now for sale. The siblings, not the grandchildren. 50/50 between the siblings. If A wants their 50% to go to their children they can do that. They can not dictate what B does with their 50%.

The first sentence actually says it’s a hypothetical situation.

Original poster
ForGladOtter · 30/07/2025 12:36

Soontobe60 · 30/07/2025 12:33

Clearly the split should be made according to the Will if there is one. If not, and the person has died intestate, then the estate will be split equally between the siblings unless both siblings choose to do a Deed of Variation to come to some other arrangement.
Either way, discussing who should get what when a parent / grandparent dies is rather crass don't you think?

I would love to be in a position where it doesn't need discussed, but here we are!

OP posts:
Dinoswearunderpants · 30/07/2025 12:36

What was your parents wishes? What's in the Will?

VoooooooooooV · 30/07/2025 12:37

Even if there isn’t a will the normal thing is to split estates evenly between children.

OP, you’ve said this is hypothetical but you have updated with a more real sounding update? Why are you asking?

VoooooooooooV · 30/07/2025 12:37

Even if there isn’t a will the normal thing is to split estates evenly between children.

OP, you’ve said this is hypothetical but you have updated with a more real sounding update? Why are you asking?

VoooooooooooV · 30/07/2025 12:37

Even if there isn’t a will the normal thing is to split estates evenly between children.

OP, you’ve said this is hypothetical but you have updated with a more real sounding update? Why are you asking?

Soontobe60 · 30/07/2025 12:37

ForGladOtter · 30/07/2025 12:34

"Inherit" was probably the wrong term to use. Ownership of the property was transferred to the siblings. One parent is still alive but living elsewhere and has no will. This parent does not tend to make thought-out or firm decisions as she just likes to "keep everyone happy".

In that case that’s very different to what you’ve described. If the siblings now own the property they can choose to do whatever they want with their share of it. When it gets sold the solicitor will have to legally give 50% of the proceeds to each owner. However, if they took ownership within 7 years of the death of the parent there could be IHT to pay, and there will certainly be CGT to pay.

Hmnnnnnnn · 30/07/2025 12:38

50:50 split between siblings

StrawberryCranberry · 30/07/2025 12:39

50/50 between siblings is the fair way. I say this even though I have more children than my sibling.

Soontobe60 · 30/07/2025 12:41

ForGladOtter · 30/07/2025 12:36

I would love to be in a position where it doesn't need discussed, but here we are!

Show quote history

But why does it need to be discussed? Unless the house is owned in unequal measures there is nothing to discuss!
A wants a bigger share than B so that As children can benefit equally with Bs children. That’s a red herring. B wants their half share to do what they choose and that’s what they're legally entitled to.

Hollyhobbi · 30/07/2025 12:42

I’m Irish and before I joined Mumsnet I don’t think I’ve ever heard of inheritances going to grandchildren rather than sons or daughters of the deceased! Probably partly because the tax free allowance is very low from grandparents to grandchildren in Ireland.

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