Should I remake my Will?

No I wouldn't leave them anything. Why give money to people who as you say, you wouldn't know them if they passed you in the street.
I would give the remainder to close friends and charities.

If this were me, I'd re-make my will, leaving a bit to my nieces and nephews (do you actually know if a legacy would affect them?) and the rest to Church/charity.

I wish everyone would leave something to charity.

I think you are feeling guilty because you have already said one thing but now want to change it, but his nephew's and nieces don't know, you could always leave the something, enough for a meal out and perhaps something that belonged to him or his family, a photo of their parents/ Grandparents and your husband when they were children for instance . They probably won't really expect anything if there has been little contact over the years, and if they do tough luck they should have kept in touch.

I agree with you, GSM. In fact I don’t understand why anyone would not leave something to charity as, in life, there is always something dear to our hearts. For me, it’s wildlife and nature. For others, medical charities or the lifeboats perhaps … hundreds of amazing causes which would be so grateful and would use the money wisely rather than an uninterested relative who may waste it.

If these relatives don't bother with you - why leave them anything ?
I'd leave it to those who do .
And if you feel strongly about about any particular charity then , a donation to them as well .
Meanwhile enjoy life and stop worrying about it !

Just to mention, if your husband really wanted to leave to his own family then he could have /should have left to them when he died. As it is, he has left his money to you, so do with it what you wish, and from what you say that definitely doesn't include his family. They have no claim on his estate whatsoever so do not feel obliged to them.

I would assume that your husband would have wanted his money to go to the people who have continued to care about his wife. I would leave it to your own family as they seem to care.

Many thanks for the replies and advice. I know you are right and I think I will change my Will. I will leave money to those nephews and nieces who have kept in touch and also two charities we have supported. Thank you for helping me make up my mind!

Leave the money to those who keep in touch and care about you and leave some to a charity which means something to you.

In the meantime, don't stint yourself - spend and enjoy yourself! Don't forget, too, you may need a substantial sum if you have to go into care, we all hope we won't but we don't know.

I agree with you Callistemon21

I agree with the majority of other posters who suggest you leave anything left to those who contact you, plus, perhaps, a donation to a charity. You could, of course, leave those who don’t keep in touch a token gift if that would make you feel more comfortable, but to be honest, it sounds as if they are getting on with their lives without including you in any way, so I think you have every right to do the same.

However, do enjoy your money whilst you are here, don’t stint. If any is left, all well and good, but really, enjoy your money while you can, don’t feel you have to save it for someone else to spend at a future date.

As a compromise why not leave 50% to your nephews and nieces and then the other 50% to a charity that your DH supported. Maybe that would make you feel more as if you are doing what your DH would have wanted?

I would leave the bulk to your family and a token amount as said to your husbands relatives.

But you do have someone else to leave things to; your family!

While u are still alive spend and enjoy your money. I see lots of older people putting stuff off due to fear of spending. You can now suit yourself and if u wish leave small amounts to others you love or like in your will . Being related doesn’t matter if you’re never present

No you are not being petty. Why do we feel obliged to leave anything to people just because they are distant family, when we are gone.

You say that your DH worked hard for the money, yes he did but he could not have done it without you looking after his welfare. He also worked hard for his family, namely, you. So do not feel guilty about changing your will. The money is for your security and if there is any left after you have gone it will go to anyone or charity that you have chosen as it's your decision what happens to it. So change your will if you wish in the knowledge that your DH would approve of your choice.

I always find it odd and somewhat sad when people don’t know to whom to leave an inheritance and often leave it to relative(s) whom they hardly know or bother with just because they are relatives. Surely they must know someone, or a family, or local youngster(s) in training for whom an inheritance would be life- changing. A cleaner, or pensioner struggling to live on state pension. A single parent. The list is endless and would be fun to write - also maybe a small local charity run by volunteers ………

Scribbles

I think you should leave your assets to the people you care about - those nephews and nieces who have kept in touch.
I have never understood why simply being related by blood to someone, with whom you have little or no contact or closeness, should entitle you to their worldly goods when they die.
Your husband's relatives clearly didn't give a fig for him when he was alive so why should they benefit from his hard work and prosperity?
Leave your money where you feel it's deserved.

Couldn’t agree more! It’s your money now, do with it what you want!

In my opinion, if they don't stay in touch they won't even know you have died. So leave the money as you wish - your family, your chosen charities or whatever you like.

From from you have said Beckett, I would tend to choose what you yourself would like.

Yep leave their share to the people that help you, friend, neighbor, or a charity.

My aunt made a new will when her husband died, leaving everything to her side of the family. My uncle had little contact with his cousins, so I don't think she did anything wrong. Perhaps leave some of DH's 'half' to a charity he may have supported.

You say that you re-made your will when your husband died. Did the original will, made by yourself and your late husband, include his nephews and nieces as well as yours. If it did then I would go along with your late husbands wishes and leave half to his family and half to yours.

I would look at doing some really amazing activities or holidays for yourself, maybe treat friends too, whilst you're still alive and active.. and if there's any left leave it to your favourite charities..