Would you leave your house to daughter only and not between son and daughter?

lulu650

For me it would have to be 50/50 irrespective of circumstances.

Flugelhorn

I think I might ask my son if he was prepared to inherit his half of the house and allow his sister to stay in it for life, paying him rent as appropriate.

TBagpuss

I think it would be a kindness to discuss it with your son, first.

Also consider other options. For instance, you say your daughter would not be able to afford to buy out her brother's share in the house, but if the house were to be sold, and she had half the proceeds, would she be able to buy a flat or a smaller house, with her share, if she wanted?

What is the reason for her only earning £600 month? Is there any reason that she could not work full time, so s to afford a small mortgage, if she wanted to buy out her brother?

If you do decide to treat them unequally, then do talk to your son in advance if at all possible, and if not, leave a letter explaining whay you decided as you did, so that it is explicitly made clear that it was not due to anything he did or that you don't love or value him.

I'd also talk to your daughter, she might not feel comfortable with cuting her brother out.

You could also leave everything 50/50 and let your son decide when the time comes. IF at that stage, he feels he doesn't need anything he could agree to a deed of variation to effectively give his share of the house to his sister.

pmlindyloo

I'm for the 50/50 split because although the situation for your children are as you describe now there are all kinds of possible changes in the future.

Your daughter may win the lottery, marry a millionaire etc etc

Your son may get married, then divorced and lose half his money, or his job may go belly up.

In short, no one can predict the future for your offspring.

globetraveller

don't take the easy way out and just leave a letter. Discuss this with your son. Its not good to have warring relatives over an unexpected will. Is there a valid reason for your daughter only working part time or could she just not be bothered. If the latter then I would definitely be going for 50/50

bmthmark

Its your money, so you do as you wish.

However, if it were me. I would split it 50/50
Otherwise it's obvious it will cause problems. Why should the successful one be left with nothing? yet the other gets everything.

This is such a common cause of issues in families. Just split it equal or nothing at all.

To be frank i'm amazed this actually goes through peoples minds.

Cheeky_Monkey

Helen28 wrote: »

I know that the minute I go my daughter will move into my house house rather than have it sitting empty before even informing her brother of my going and he will let her stay there.

Charming! Is that an indication of the type of person she is?

maman

thorsoak wrote: »

Make a will, leaving a nominal amount to your son and the rest to your daughter - and place a letter with the will explaining why you have treated them so differently. Do not leave your daughter to have to bear the brunt of any indecisiveness on your part.

The worst that would happen to the daughter is that she'd inherit half the house. Why is that bearing the brunt?


Personally I think it's very unfair to penalise the son just because he's done well for himself and continue to bail out your daughter because she's chosen to live as she does. It's more than money, it's about showing the son that he means as much to you as his sister.


It could be that the brother chooses to give his sister his half or chooses to sell and have 50% himself. That'll be his choice. If I were OP (not sure of law in Scotland) I'd write a 50:50 will and ask the brother to be the executor as he sounds as if he has his head screwed on. That way you'll have to have a conversation with him in advance when he might offer an opinion but at least he'll know your intention rather than finding out after your death that his sister meant more to you than him.:(

jackyann

I'd consider leaving the estate to both, with a life interest in the house for your daughter. Take advice about whether she can afford the upkeep of the house, and how to preserve the interest should she wish to move. You need to see a solicitor and discuss carefully, but this may get you out of your dilemma.
Agree that it needs discussing properly, and proper provision made for your grandchild(ren) denying on which of your children dies first.
But it's all doable.

pollypenny

Has the daughter squandered her opportunities and finds herself in straitened circumstances of her own doing? If that is the case and the son has worked hard it!!!8217;s very unfair.