Would You Divide Your Estate Unequally Between Children?


We all have the right to do whatever we want with our estate. If you want to leave unequal distributions, that is your business. However, experts agree that leaving unequal distributions can lead to more legal challenges to your estate’s distribution as well as to more anguish and conflict between your heirs. Sometimes heirs think that money and assets equal love and admiration. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Would you divide your estate unequally between children?

Posted by on 14 Nov 2022

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  • [0] [0]
    Peluvcat

    Yes I would divide then equally, so my children would know I love them equally.

    Posted by Peluvcat on 26 Feb 2023

  • [0] [0]
    tassiegirl

    Normally it is fair to divide it equally between your children. However if you had a disabled child who wasn't able to work, it would be fair to leave them more (because of these extenuating circumstances). Make sure you get a solicitor to draw up a will and power of attorney. I know personally a person who married a millionaire and was left financially worse off when the person died.

    Posted by tassiegirl on 26 Jan 2023

  • [0] [0]
    Natashia Marie June

    Never, no matter what the circumstances your children are there because you chose to keep them so to pick and choose if 1 gets a bigger or smaller inheritance is morally wrong and that sort of act is what makes families so distant in some cases

    Posted by Natashia Marie June on 01 Jan 2023

  • [0] [0]
    CILLY0

    My executor knows the reasons why the estate is being left in the way I have chosen. I doubt that there will be any contest.

    Posted by CILLY0 on 06 Dec 2022

  • [0] [0]
    Mikayla

    I would, Im actually executor and some other fun title, so I get it all and it's up to me how to divide(meaning it's being left to me and then wishes have been given but not written down).

    Posted by Mikayla on 05 Dec 2022

  • [1] [0]
    shirls

    We would and do intend to leave our estate equally between our children

    Posted by shirls on 05 Dec 2022

  • [0] [0]
    Christine

    Yes, i certainly would. If one of my children did nothing at all to help me later on in life, they deserve nothing.

    Posted by Christine on 05 Dec 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Kittykato

    I don't have kids but I am leaving everything to one sister and nothing to the other as she is wealthy and doesn't need my assets.

    Posted by Kittykato on 05 Dec 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Jibberman

    Even when you leave equal distributions there are still disputes occurring which i have been affected by. No matter how you structure your will some will not be happy and the solicitors love that.

    Posted by Jibberman on 02 Dec 2022

  • [0] [0]
    DevChap

    There would have to be a severe inequality in the circumstances of the children. If one of them was a teacher and the other a hedge fund manager then i would 100% consider the impact any money left would have on their lives. If one child took on the majority of the caring duties of elderly parents for example i would make allowances for that. But i would make this very clear before hand and it would have to be a substantial difference.

    Posted by DevChap on 02 Dec 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Sue

    Will definitely divide equally as that is fair.

    Posted by Sue on 02 Dec 2022

  • [1] [0]
    dodger37

    I would certainly not divide unequally between my children...

    Posted by dodger37 on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    kendallx3

    I've made sure it's equal, as it's not worth the risk of any of them contesting and therefore wasting money and effort on fighting. Not to mention the impact on their relationships.

    Posted by kendallx3 on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Turbotom

    I will split it evenly between the kids only fair way

    Posted by Turbotom on 29 Nov 2022

  • [0] [0]
    GcW

    Yes, my son is a paraplegic, and his sister is wealthy

    Posted by GcW on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Ann

    Yes, we will equally divide our assets between our children. We have discussed this with them and I'm sure they will work together to execute our wishes.

    Posted by Ann on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    vlee

    I've always done everything equally with our children... spending the same on them for birthdays, Xmas etc and I would do exactly the same with my will. It would be unfair of me to favour one over the other.

    Posted by vlee on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Annie

    Definitely , last thing I’d wantis my kids fighting over stupid crap once I’m dead

    Posted by Annie on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Olivia

    I would be dividing it equally, the last thing they need after I pass is an argument over who gets what

    Posted by Olivia on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Anita

    I'm plan on leaving my estate divided between my only child and charities. Of course I'll need to tell my daughter so she doesn't get a shock. its my money to do with what i wish.

    Posted by Anita on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Bellxchat

    It seems to me it would be prudent to let family members know what's in your Will. There's nothing like disputes over money to create trouble and family estrangements. Leaving a child out of a Will is possible but can be contested...and is often overturned. Seek legal advice!!

    Posted by Bellxchat on 29 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Jeanette

    I have 6 children and many grandchildren. Luckily we are able to share our estate equally between our children. One of my daughters has nuilt a home and one of her grandsons lives with her. He is like her right hand. he is supportive and helpful with no thought of reward. Some of her other grandchildren , plus her own children, couldn;'t even be bothered to visit her when she went to their state to visit HER parents. She had to go to THEM. And then it seemed to be a bit of an inconvenience. She wants to leave her home to the lad who lives with her and is there for her always. I see nothing wrong with that but I know there will be an outcry when she is gone.

    Posted by Jeanette on 29 Nov 2022

  • [0] [0]
    Anthony

    I wouldn’t divide my estate equally between my offspring. They need to make their own way in life. I will help, however they need to appreciate that financial gains is not an easy route to happiness.

    Posted by Anthony on 25 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    Busy Bee

    I don't have any children. If I do, I would distribute my wealth according to the financial needs of the children but I would discuss it with them first.

    Posted by Busy Bee on 25 Nov 2022

  • [2] [0]
    Danielle

    I think dividing an estate into unequal amounts in a will for your children is asking for trouble. The children with the least amount will feel unappreciated and overlooked by a parent. All should be divided between children equally

    Posted by Danielle on 15 Nov 2022

  • [2] [0]
    Lisa V

    Even if the will is divided equally, all it takes is one sibling hassling the other about when is the money coming to cause trouble as well. Unfortunately, the death of a mother doesn't matter, just the money, which they are entitled to, but you can't rush the probate and the sibling seems to think it's instantaneous, even after reminding them of the case.

    Posted by Lisa V on 18 Nov 2022

  • [1] [0]
    mact

    Apparently most contested wills are successful.....soooo.....make sure your Will is fair and equitable regardless of Family spats!

    Posted by mact on 15 Nov 2022

  • [0] [0]
    ere

    It's up to the individual as to who they leave their estate to and what proportion they leave. For various personal reasons I have written my will leaving different proportions to different people. IMO challenges to wills should not be considered if they are legally binding and written while the person is of sound mind and understands what they are doing.

    Posted by ere on 15 Nov 2022

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