Leaving Unequal Inheritances to Your Children

Many people contemplate leaving their children unequal inheritances. The thinking behind this is understandable as one child might be distant or difficult. However, before you make unequal inheritances a part of your estate plan, you should consider the consequences on the relationship between the children.

There are good reasons for leaving an unequal inheritance that the children will understand. For example, if one of your children is disabled, leaving more assets for that child is understandable. As long as you explain what you plan to do and why, your other children will probably agree that you made the right decision. However, in the absence of special circumstances, an unequal inheritance leaves the child who received less bitter and looking for a reason why. This can be the case even if you explain why you in your Will. The child will be angry, but because you are not around to take that anger out on, the most likely person to receive it is the child who you left a larger inheritance to.

You may not get along with all of your children, but as the parent, you should probably still consider how your children will get along with each other when you pass away.

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Thanks again.

Dennis D. Duffy