MoneyWise
By Vishesh Raisinghani
January 29th, 2025
‘Really weird vibes’: This man says his wife’s grandma left them part of a multi-million dollar inheritance — but her parents think they ‘got skipped’ and want in on it. “The Ramsey Show” responds…
Inheritance disputes can stir up family drama, but a recent caller on The Ramsey Show faced a truly peculiar scenario: his wife’s parents were left out of her grandma’s will.
Grandma had passed away and left us one quarter of a multi-million dollar trust… But we’re just feeling really weird vibes from her parents who basically felt like they got skipped in the inheritance of it and that we should give them the money back somehow.
Anonymous Caller
This tricky situation points to the importance of having proactive discussions around estate planning as a family. That way, if the couple knew this was the grandma’s intention for a long while, they’d feel less confused about whether they should share the money out of moral obligation.
Family drama like this is common when a relatively large inheritance is left behind with surprising instructions. Even if a thorough will is documented, individuals can further relieve their beneficiaries by taking the time to talk to them about their intentions before they pass.
Communication is essential. Being reluctant to talk about money or mortality leaves many families guessing what their parents or grandparents intended when they decided how to split their wealth.
To avoid stirring up family feuds when you pass away, take the time to have an open and honest conversation with your family about your estate plan. Ensure that your will or trust is frequently updated to reflect changes in your family dynamics or your personal wishes. You can decide whether you think it’s worth speaking to those you’ve left out to explain why and leave clear, perhaps written instructions for those who receive the wealth so they can put the money to use the way you intend.
