There was a discussion in the comments section a few weeks ago relating to personal finance lightning rod, Dave Ramsey, and his views on inheritance. One commenter noted that Dave’s view is that if his kids don’t share Dave’s belief in Christianity, Dave will cut them out of what is likely a multi-million dollar inheritance. I have to take the commenter at face value since I don’t listen to Dave. The poster opined that this was brutal and ghastly.
Regarding Dave, my view is that it’s Dave’s money, and he can decide how to divide it upon his death. If the child is grown and able to take care of himself, the parent is under no moral obligation to give the child anything upon the parent’s death in my view. If Dave wants to light his money on fire Joker-style, I personally wouldn’t have a problem with it. I have seen many occasions where families get divided over the notion of entitlement regarding inheritance. I think it is completely silly.
I have never counted on my parent’s support after I graduated high school. I was fortunate that my parents paid for my college education, but I was prepared to pursue alternatives if they didn’t. My parents have a reasonably-sized estate I think, but I have never spent a second thinking about receiving one penny of it. Honestly I hope they spend it all on themselves. They deserve it after spending the better part of a lifetime working to provide for their 5 children. If they decide one of my other siblings needs more than me, I won’t be mad at them or my sibling.
So putting aside the issue of personal beliefs, what are your thoughts of a parent putting strings on their children’s inheritance? What if they decide to completely arbitrarily cut out a child and give more to a sibling?
Regarding Dave, my view is that it’s Dave’s money, and he can decide how to divide it upon his death. If the child is grown and able to take care of himself, the parent is under no moral obligation to give the child anything upon the parent’s death in my view. If Dave wants to light his money on fire Joker-style, I personally wouldn’t have a problem with it. I have seen many occasions where families get divided over the notion of entitlement regarding inheritance. I think it is completely silly.
I have never counted on my parent’s support after I graduated high school. I was fortunate that my parents paid for my college education, but I was prepared to pursue alternatives if they didn’t. My parents have a reasonably-sized estate I think, but I have never spent a second thinking about receiving one penny of it. Honestly I hope they spend it all on themselves. They deserve it after spending the better part of a lifetime working to provide for their 5 children. If they decide one of my other siblings needs more than me, I won’t be mad at them or my sibling.
So putting aside the issue of personal beliefs, what are your thoughts of a parent putting strings on their children’s inheritance? What if they decide to completely arbitrarily cut out a child and give more to a sibling?
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