Can I leave one child more than another?

Question

I have three adult children and am considering leaving one of them a larger share because that child has provided years of caregiving and has fewer financial resources. I know an unequal inheritance could cause hurt feelings, but equal shares do not feel fair to me. Can a will legally leave different amounts to adult children, and what planning steps can reduce confusion or accusations that the decision was a mistake?

Soradin · Accepted Answer

You can often choose unequal shares, but the reason and structure should be considered carefully to reduce conflict. For this legal issue, a person can often leave unequal shares or omit an adult child, but the document should be clear and comply with state protections for spouses and dependents. An estate planning attorney can explain how the state's rules apply and help translate the decision into the right paperwork.

Can I leave one child more than another?

Soradin

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