A grandmother has said she plans to leave something for her biological grandchildren but won’t leave a penny of her £600,000 estate to her step-grandchildren. Sophia, not her real name, has 10 grandkids aged from five to 22, though only half of them are her biological grandchildren.
Those remaining are her partner David’s biological grandchildren. Sophia’s husband died in 2010 and she since met David, 65, with whom she now shares a home.
She told the Daily Mail her estate, including two properties she rents out, is valued at £600,000, but even though she has known the younger of her five step-grandchildren since they were babies, they won’t receive anything from her when she dies.
Sophia, 67, told the same publication: “I love them to bits and I treat them exactly as I do my biological grandchildren… But I promised my late husband that our estate in its entirety would go to our grandchildren.”
The retired civil servant said there are times when she feels guilty about that decision, with the world being a tough place for youngsters, but she feels honour-bound to respect her late husband’s wishes.
She said David is aware of the promise Sophia made to her late husband and respects her decision. Having helped her children out financially with deposits on homes and famiy holidays, Sophia said they are not included in her will.
Her step-grandchildren will also be “looked after” by David, whose estate is reported to be worth £500,000. But Sophia said she does not intend to tell any of her grandchildren about her plan.
Chartered clinical psychologist Dr Marianne Trent, author of The Grief Collective, told the Mail it is better to be open about the content of your will while you are still alive.
She said: “Yes, it’s your property, your estate and it’s up to you what you do with it, but telling relatives what those wishes are now can minimise the eventual impact and avoid family conflict in the heat of the moment later.”
Helena Luckhurst, a partner at UK law firm Fladgate, which specialises in wills, trusts and estate planning, said while people are entitled to leave money to whoever they want to, you may want to consider how you want to be remembered.
She asked if it is sensible to treat step-family members differently, adding sometimes the promotion of family harmony above personal feelings can unite a family after your death.
