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Should I remake my Will?

(65 Posts)
keepingquiet Mon 20-May-24 12:27:59

Did your late DH stipulated that he wanted any leftover money to go to his nieces and nephews when you died? Did he leave them anything in his own will? If not then the money is yours to dispose of as you wish.
Maybe you feel a sense of loyalty to him, I don't know, but unless he made any direct mention of it then leave it to anyone you desire. It's your money now.

Dinahmo Mon 20-May-24 12:26:28

If you have little or no contact with your and/or your DH's nieces and nephews why leave your money to them. My DH and I are child free and most of our assets will go to charities - the problem is which ones? We do have nieces and nephews but have contact with only one of them.

Cossy Mon 20-May-24 12:23:36

My view is that this is your legacy now and it’s up to you to leave it to those you want to and feel closest to, go for it!

Iam64 Mon 20-May-24 12:17:52

I’m with others here. It’s your money. Leave it wherever you wish. Your nephews and nieces have kept in touch so it isn’t mean or petty to leave to them and not to people you don’t know

eddiecat78 Mon 20-May-24 11:20:43

My OH's aunt and uncle were the same as you - no children but both with nieces and nephews. Uncle died first. When aunt died there were 20 beneficiaries to her will, several of which lived overseas. OH had P of A and did a lot to manage aunties care etc in her final years and then was very involved in obtaining probate. He was pretty miffed as all the beneficiaries inherited equal shares so he got exactly the same as others who hadn't seen aunty or uncle for years.
As you get older yourself you may find some of your relatives are much more helpful than others - I would prioritise them in your will so they feel appreciated after you are gone

Smileless2012 Mon 20-May-24 11:16:04

Me too Charleygirl and that's what we've done with ours.

Charleygirl5 Mon 20-May-24 11:15:09

I would leave the money to those who care about you and keep in contact.

Beckett Mon 20-May-24 11:09:16

That's the problem Smileless - I just don't know

Smileless2012 Mon 20-May-24 11:03:56

In that case Beckett as he had no strong feelings toward his nephews and nieces, do what you want to do.

Beckett Mon 20-May-24 11:01:24

When we made our original Wills we discussed who should inherit when the last of us died. He had no strong feelings for his nephews and nieces , having had very little contact with them - just felt we had no-one else to leave everything to.

Smileless2012 Mon 20-May-24 10:51:09

No you are not being petty and unreasonable but Sparklefizz makes a valid point; what would your husband have wanted?

25Avalon Mon 20-May-24 10:50:57

No not petty and unreasonable but difficult as you want to fulfil your dh’s wishes. Did the nephews and nieces have more contact when he was alive? If so and they no longer communicate with you maybe dh wouldn’t have been so kean for them to inherit? At the end of the day it is now your wishes. You could leave it all to charity, maybe one you both espoused.

Scribbles Mon 20-May-24 10:50:19

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.

Sparklefizz Mon 20-May-24 10:46:15

I don't think you're being petty and unreasonable, but what would your husband have wanted?

Beckett Mon 20-May-24 10:26:09

When my husband died I remade my Will leaving 50% of my estate to my husband's nephews and nieces and 50% to mine (we had no children).

Even when he was alive we had very little contact with my husband's nephews and nieces and I can honestly say I wouldn't know them if I passed them in the street. Since his death I have had no contact with them at all. My own nephews and nieces, although living in a different country, often make contact keeping me up to date with what they are doing and asking about my life and welfare

I am torn about whether to change my Will leaving out my husband's nephews and nieces, after all it was mostly his hard work which generated the money I have but it seems as far as they are concerned I don't exist.

Am I being petty and unreasonable? Should I leave my Will as it stands?