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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

inheritance and marriage

111 replies

whoisrite · 27/09/2021 19:01

my husband and I are arguing to the point we may separate as we can't agree on an issue of inheritance. I will try not to drip feed.
I met my husband when I was a single mum with a 1yr old dd. We married when she was 2.5yrs and she is 5 now. We have twins who are 3.
My husband' s parents separated when he was 16, he has a sister who is 2yrs older and a brother.His father (77)remarried. As soon as I was introduced to his family, his step mother took to my daughter. She clearly favours her over other grandchildren.She will spend time with her,
ask to take her places, buy her things etc. She has suggested that they pay for her schooling . Step MIL has no children of her own Initially dismissed it but its so blatant that no one can deny it. She is good with all the children including SlL and BlL children but clearly has a favourite. This has been on going since we came to the family and my husbands siblings have commented. I spoke to someone who is close to MIL and she said mother in law said my husband and his siblings never welcomed her to the family and only tolerate her, she always felt like an outsider hence why she prefers my dd as she is also an outsider. Not sure what to think about this.
Recently there was a family discussion about inheritance , my FIL would like to leave money to his wife and children. My mother in law then said she would only have one person in her will unless she dies before her husband. As you can imagine this has caused resentment in the family. My husband and siblings are angry as they say it's unfair on everyone else . My husband says I should refuse the inheritance on behalf of dd as its unfair on everyone else. He is so angry that he is threatening to rewrite his will. I am apathetic to it all as its nothing to do with me. I have said if he changes his will so will l. Please give me some wise advice.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 30/09/2021 12:15

Given that the step-mother MIL has own money and it sounds like it is a reasonable amount, it seems that the most sensible thing would be for the FIL not to leave her anything (other than a life interest in their house).

FIL could leave his money equally to his children. MIL can leave hers to who she likes - presumably the OP's oldest child. That's still a bit unfair on the other grandchildren but it is her own money rather than 'family money' which should be shared equally.

MattyGroves · 30/09/2021 12:28

I think what might be winding up your DH is the way that you just seem totally unbothered about it. If a family member wanted to treat one of my children totally differently both financially and emotionally in terms of attention, it would really upset me and be something that I tried to avoid. To be honest, I would probably cut off contact if I couldn't get them to stop it as I couldn't handle my toddler seeing his older sibling being treated differently and I would hate the idea of my kids falling out when they were older.

Whereas you seem to be super relaxed about it and haven't challenged it at all with your SMIL.

MattyGroves · 30/09/2021 12:31

I would also seek to even out any discrepancy in inheritance with my own will so that all children ended up with the same - sounds like that's what your DH is suggesting but you somehow think is unfair?

whoisrite · 30/09/2021 16:13

I am refusing to discuss it further, its already cost us family time as both of us are angry. I am shocked at his attitude. Husband / siblings can go speak to MIL and convince her (good luck to them). MIL is not my mum so I have no influence over her decisions.
FIL cannot exclude his wife of many years because his greedy children are not happy. I would rather they live long and enjoy their money.
I do not know what is going to happen at family get togethers as it will be me/ daughter/ mother in law on one side and others on the other.

OP posts:
Hont1986 · 30/09/2021 17:31

I do not know what is going to happen at family get togethers as it will be me/ daughter/ mother in law on one side and others on the other.

Well, enjoy the company of the woman trying to sow discord among the family by announcing her inheritance plans years ahead of time. Your other kids might miss you on their side of the dinner table though.

MattyGroves · 30/09/2021 17:56

@Hont1986

I do not know what is going to happen at family get togethers as it will be me/ daughter/ mother in law on one side and others on the other.

Well, enjoy the company of the woman trying to sow discord among the family by announcing her inheritance plans years ahead of time. Your other kids might miss you on their side of the dinner table though.

Yeah. Being "on the other side" to your 3 year olds sounds like a great outcome. Taking the side of the woman leaving your DD money has also made very clear that you're not at all greedy.
flippertyop · 30/09/2021 17:59

So how do you feel that your other two children inherit nothing? Yes it's her money but it's out of order ans I don't blame the others for being angry

JustLyra · 30/09/2021 18:48

@whoisrite

I am refusing to discuss it further, its already cost us family time as both of us are angry. I am shocked at his attitude. Husband / siblings can go speak to MIL and convince her (good luck to them). MIL is not my mum so I have no influence over her decisions. FIL cannot exclude his wife of many years because his greedy children are not happy. I would rather they live long and enjoy their money. I do not know what is going to happen at family get togethers as it will be me/ daughter/ mother in law on one side and others on the other.
You still don’t seem to be grasping that this woman is deliberately trying to cause a divide in your family.

Between your children.

If I was your husband I’d be massively disappointed to find I’d married someone who doesn’t seem to give a shit that a family member is happily causing issues for our children.

How can you be so ok with your younger children being treated like that?

Do you favour your DD in other ways over your twins?

JustLyra · 30/09/2021 18:49

It would be so so simple for you to say to MIL “my children are all my children and I won’t have someone play favourites”

So simple. Yet you won’t. Which is odd because MIL’s having favourites is usually something mother’s don’t like because it’s not here the for the children

PufferFishGoneWrong · 04/10/2021 20:24

@Crispyduckandpancakes

Are your PIL aware of all this dissension among the family?

I do find it distasteful when the vultures gather before a body is even dead. FIL could live for another 20 years and MIL for another 25 years, assuming that they are presently in good health. Yet their children are already squabbling over who gets what when they are gone. That's beyond vile. If it were my DC talking about my death in such a way, I would seriously consider whether to leave them anything at all.

This is not 'family' money. It is your PIL's money and it is entirely up to them how they spend it and who they leave it to. The sense of entitlement of DH and his family is breathtaking, especially considering how badly they treated MIL in the first instance. TBH, they sound like a most unpleasant family, and your DH appears to have revealed his true colours.

It all reads like the beginning of an Agatha Christie story, where the reader is expecting someone to be 'bumped off' at any minute, and the family then gather for the reading of the will. DH in the dining room with a spanner? Grin

This is how I see it. It is nothing about any grandchildren at all.

The children wants all the money.

They are vultures and want MIL to leave her money as they see fit. WTF!!!

Anotherhill · 06/10/2021 06:21

I disagree. I think this has been stirred up by the MIL precisely to cause trouble. Otherwise,why would the PILs even have told anyone who was in the will. I don’t believe any child would be happy if their parents had openly been this antagonistic.
Regarding the children’s behaviour towards theMIL - maybe they are justified in not welcoming her to the family.

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