Finance and family can prove to be a dangerous mix.

At the same time, the two topics can never be separated. Money is always an important thing to take into consideration when it comes to our relatives, not least as a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who is thinking about who is going to inherit what after they pass. For many, it is their life’s work, and they want their money and assets to go to those who really deserve it and will use it wisely. Plus, there are usually all kinds of backstories and rivalries to take into account as well.

Ultimately, the people who struggle with this the most are the recipients, and not the source of the inheritance. They are the ones who have to live with the choices that their relative made in their last will and testament. Even the most fairly executed of these can be prone to cause disagreements if somebody thinks that they are not getting what they deserve. 

People can be difficult about their inheritance for good reason; for many, it is the largest lump sum they will ever receive. Still, it is important to be sensitive to the needs and desires of everybody involved.