Why and How to Disinherit Someone in Your Will

Disinheriting someone from your will is a difficult decision, but let’s take a look at why you may disinherit someone and how to do it.

Creating a will is something that almost everyone will need to do in their lifetime. Oftentimes, there are reasons to change it, including new property and other assets. However, there may come a time when you want to change who you are willing your property to. Disinheriting someone from your will is a difficult decision, but let’s take a look at why you may disinherit someone and how to do it.

Someone in your will is in a better or worse financial position than when the original will was created

There will most certainly be financial differences between your offspring or others than you are willing money to. You may find that it is the right decision to leave more money to one of your children than the other. If this is the case, you would disinherit one of the children so that the other may receive more. This allows your estate to be split unevenly.

There is also the possibility that you may be concerned one of your children will be financially irresponsible with what you choose to give them. You can disinherit them to take care of that.

You’ve decided that your assets will be better served through a charity or other organization

If you have chosen to leave your assets to beneficiaries but have had a change of heart and wish to instead leave them with a charity, you will need to disinherit those beneficiaries. Once you disinherit them, you will be able to allocate your assets to the charity of your choice.

You are no longer on speaking terms with or are estranged from one of your beneficiaries

If you have become estranged from one of your beneficiaries, then you will want to disinherit them. Estrangement is generally considered to apply to children only, and disinheriting them from your will tells them that you no longer consider them your offspring. For other beneficiaries that aren’t your children, you may find yourself in a situation where you no longer wish to leave them with some of your assets. This would also require disinheritance.

How to disinherit someone from your will

Regardless of the reason, if you wish to disinherit someone from your will, you will need to update it accordingly. Remember that your spouse and, in most cases, your children have inheritance rights. Speaking with a financial planner who acts as your will executor will be the best person to speak with about this. Generally, if you remove heirs from your will, they will have to accept it. There are times when ex-heirs will contest wills and in order to keep that from happening, it’s recommended you have a legal executor for your will.

Disinheriting someone from your will is often a difficult decision. However, there are reasons why you would want to do so. If you want to disinherit someone, then speak with a financial planner.

Related topics

• Everything You Need to Know About Making a Will
• Will vs. Trust: Which is Best for Seniors?
• How to Talk to Adult Children About Your Estate Plans