Kiplinger
By Donna LeValley
June 13th, 2025
Whether you’re navigating a second marriage, dealing with an estranged relative, or leaving your assets to charity, there are reasons to disinherit someone.
What if you no longer want to include someone in your will? Well, how you choose to divide your estate is a personal decision and entirely up to you. There may come a time when you need to update and change the beneficiaries in your will because you no longer want to leave them a bequest or have them inherit anything from your estate.
To show your intention to disinherit someone, there has to be actual language in the written will stating that a particular person is disinherited. No reasons have to be given, but the language that is used has to be clear and easy enough to understand to prove that this is, in fact, your intention.
Six reasons to disinherit someone:
- Divorce and second marriages
- Troubled offspring
- Estrangement
- Child or grandchild with disabilities who is receiving benefits
- Previous support, gifts already given or no financial need
- Leaving your estate to charity
Should you tell someone they are disinherited?
Making those who are disinherited aware of the situation can make things easier after you pass. Bad news is never truly welcome, but forewarning can be constructive for the rest of your family. Some people choose to include a letter of disinheritance to explain their reasons for excluding someone from their will. This is another tactic to make circumstances clear and avoid ambiguities.
