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Wills and Predeceased step children

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BigH141 Fri 16-Feb-18 11:30:26

Hi, my wife and I have made joint wills leaving all assets to each other, then on the death of the surviving spouse the estate to be divided equally to each of 4 grown up children ( 2 each from former marriages). So far so good.

We have not mentioned grandchildren at all in the will. Plus there are unequal numbers and sadly with one party, we are completely estranged from 3 of the grandchildren.

If any child was to pre-decease us would their share of the estate go to their children or their wife or partner? Or does being predeceased end all legal interest unless we specify the grandchildren are now to take their share? ie if one child dies before us would the estate then just be split 3 ways leaving out grandchildren?

If so we will need to make arrangements for the grandchildren but how can we ensure estranged, or illegitimate children who we have never met, do not inherit?

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tanith Fri 16-Feb-18 11:35:29

Any money left in a will to your step children will pass down to their children should they pre-decease you. It would be equally shared between the deceased step-child's children .

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BigH141 Fri 16-Feb-18 11:41:33

Thank you I made a mistake in my original post the Will does state that in the event of a pre-deceased child the estate goes to their children.

How can we prevent money going to estranged and illegitimate children.... By naming who is to inherit in that eventuality?

Plus one son and his wife have no children and it looks like they are getting divorced. So if he died should we name who his share should got to ie his brother from my first marriage. We have no children together

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janeainsworth Fri 16-Feb-18 11:57:35

If you’re concerned about this BigH you should really see a solicitor to make sure the wording on your wills is accurate and there are no unintended consequences.

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BigH141 Fri 16-Feb-18 12:23:26

Yes thank you Jane,
We are coming to that conclusion ourselves as it may create a lot of problems if left unclarified. My wife and I both agree on what we want to happen so that is good.

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