Disputes over allowances can escalate into divisive inheritance battles between parents and adult children. Bad decisions when you’ve retired or controversial decisions around the end-of-life asset distribution can divide your children and lead to lingering resentments long after you’ve passed. Want your children to love you? Start by having an estate plan and making sure there are no surprises, says the AARP article “5 Financial Mistakes That Will Make Your Kids Hate You.”
Your children don’t want to find out after you’ve died that you took out two or three mortgages on the family home or left large, unpaid medical bills. Even if these things happen, it will be better if you talk with your children about it while you’re still able to.
The worst is dying intestate, or without a will. Heirs could be stuck in probate court for months or years. It doesn’t matter if you rent an apartment and lease a car or have a $100 million estate—every adult needs to have a will. The will is the backbone of your estate plan, giving clear directions about who inherits your financial assets and property.
Make sure your children know who you name as executor, who has power of attorney and provide contact information for your estate planning attorney, CPA and financial advisor.
Don’t hide your financial situation. Most resentment comes from unanswered questions, surprises, or assumptions. Explain your decisions so your children don’t spend their lives wondering why you did what you did.
If you can’t leave an inheritance or intend to leave it all to charity, be up front about it. If you plan on traveling and spending everything you’ve earned, that’s okay, too – just don’t let your children think there will be an inheritance for them.
Your estate plan should include a last will and testament and, in case of incapacity, a power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney. Your estate plan clarifies your wishes for end-of-life care, which is truly a gift to those you love. Don’t ask your children to decide if you want to remain hooked up to a heart and lung machine or be allowed to die naturally. More than one family has been broken by siblings quarreling about medical decisions.
Fraud is a growing menace for seniors. Scammers count on seniors having access to lifetime savings and being vulnerable. The FTC reports that consumers over age 60 lost an estimated $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024 – and those numbers are low, as many people are too embarrassed to report fraud to the authorities.
Playing favorites in inheritances is a big mistake parents make. The estate plan should be a road map for heirs, not a tool for revenge or life lessons. While it’s okay to vary the size and nature of your bequests, this is another time when talking with children about your decisions is necessary.
Setting your loved ones up for success isn’t just about money. Having an estate plan in place and talking about your wishes with family members creates a legacy of caring.
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Reference: AARP (April 14, 2026) “5 Financial Mistakes That Will Make Your Kids Hate You”
