Leaving a Legacy: How To Keep the Peace When You’re Gone

Parents usually want to leave their children equal shares of their estate, but equal isn’t always fair. If you plan to provide more (or less) for one child in your estate plan, preparation is important.

On this Life Happens show, we talk about circumstances in which a parent might want to leave children unequal shares. If one child is providing all the caregiving, the parent might want to reward that child. If one child is substantially better off than another child, then the parent might want to provide more for the child who has a greater need for the funds. Other factors? One child may have special needs, or there may be a family business that only one child wants to run.

It’s also possible that the parents have already provided more for one child during their lifetime, maybe by paying for graduate school or helping them buy a house.

Host Lou Pierro, Founding Partner of Pierro, Connor & Strauss, along with associate attorneys Hanna Dameron and Kristen Peck describe real client situations and share legal strategies that have helped families set up their estate plan to leave a legacy that keeps the peace.