My father handed all his inheritance over to his brother

August 15, 2024 | 03:22 pm PT
My father handed all his inheritance over to his brother
Encouraging children to develop independence might lower the chances of inheritance conflicts. Illustration photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
My parents taught my younger sister and me to be independent and not to expect any inheritance, as they would only help us in times of difficulty.

After reading another reader's opinion that daughters not receiving an inheritance is fair because they benefit from their husbands’ family assets, I would like to share my perspective.

I find this view mostly reasonable, as when a man marries, he typically needs a house to welcome his bride, and parents usually provide this for their sons. However, such arrangements should be clearly communicated and documented, either through property transfers or a will, to prevent disputes.

Regarding the point about daughters living with their husbands’ families, if things go well, they will have a place to stay. Nevertheless, parents should still set aside some funds to support their daughters in case their marriage does not work out. I have observed instances where parents allocate more financial support to their daughters if their sons are already well-off.

Most importantly, I think children should be taught to be self-reliant and not depend on inherited assets. Parents' home should be a place for family gatherings, not a source of disputes. Inheritance should be handled flexibly based on real circumstances, and the likelihood of conflicts will depend on how children are raised.

In my family, my father renounced his land inheritance and left everything to his elder brother. My siblings and I were taught that our parents would only support us in times of difficulty. Therefore, regardless of any inheritance, we should be self-sufficient.

I also avoid getting involved in the inheritance distribution within my husband's family. His siblings all have their own homes and are not concerned about their parents’ assets. If children are taught to be independent, they will value whatever their parents choose to give them.

Should inheritance be handled strictly in accordance with traditions?

Reader Kite

*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.

 
 
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