For families with multiple adult children, it is not uncommon for some of the children to either know or have an expectancy of what their inheritance from their parents will be. It can cause family strife or resentment when the plan changes and one or more of the children have made decisions based on their expectations. For example, if some children receive gifts or aid for unexpected financial pitfalls that then alter the inheritance split of the estate. It can be helpful if the family members can alter their perception of inheritance equality to more than a mathematical formula but as an attempt to provide aid as needed.
See Carolyn Hax, Carolyn Hax: A Late Change to Dad’s Will is Causing Resentment, The Washington Post, Nov. 6, 2014.
Special thanks to Naomi Cahn (Harold H. Greene Professor of Law, George Washington University School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.
