Carolyn Hax: Mother wants to leave money to only one of her two children

An anonymous person submitted a question to Carolyn Hax about only leaving inheritance to one child and not the other. She explains that her daughter, “M,” cut off contact at 18, citing the mother’s judgmental nature and strict parenting, including enforcing curfews and church attendance. Despite years of therapy and efforts at reconciliation, M has chosen to maintain distance, though she engages in activities reminiscent of their past. The mother’s husband disapproves of disinheriting their daughter, and she worries about putting her son in a difficult position.

Carolyn responds that the Mother should rethink her taking M out of the inheritance if she is doing so just to get “the last word.” Hax emphasizes that the real legacy is not the money, but the potential to mend the relationship with the mother and daughter through including her in her will. 

For more information see Carolyn Hax, “Carolyn Hax: Mother wants to leave money to only one of her two children” The Washington Post, February 19, 2025. 

Special thanks to Naomi Cahn (University of Virginia School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.