Now assets have to be addressed to my adult children and my grandchildren. I am deciding now if I should do this . My problem is one of my adult offsprings Has a very poor attitude I have asked my numerous times to help me he brushes me off. When he does he takes his time to do anything for me. My grandchildren have the same attitude. My daughter after reminding her numerous times is now helping me only to be told that they are busy taking care of her family. I had to tell both of them that if they do not help me, their substantial inherence would be donated. Their attitude is I pay someone to help me they are too busy with their own family. This hurt me a great deal because they want my assets but don't want to help and when they ever do, they believe they are doing me a favor. What do I do because they believe that it is their right to collect my inheritance without doing anything for me or very little.
Ask them if there is anything that you can do for them to help make their lives not as busy.
You are dealing with a loss, don't loose your children too because they are busy and trying to survive. If you don't want to hire help for yourself, hire help for them to make their lives easier.
Show your children the love that you are seeking, and give without expecting anything in return.
I agree with the advice you've been given here. Please use your money to pay to get the things done that you can no longer do yourself. Your kids are not obligated to do this and that for you, regardless of whether they're going to inherit or not. Don't be mean spirited and hold that over their heads. No one likes to be told to do something or else.
Back off on that and then maybe you could try to rekindle your relationships with them. Invite them out for a meal and pick up the tab.
Don't ask them to do anything else for you and maybe you can enjoy some time together.
I understand being busy with my own family. I understand now that my grown kids are busy with their jobs and their kids. However, they need to be reminded that you and your wife didn't spend your days playing canasta while they scrounged for food and walked to school uphill both ways.
It is your right to do whatever you want with your money. Consult an elder attorney and get some sound advice.
Don't depend on family members. You don't need any additional stress with family drama. I would hire in-home help for now. Do not make any hasty decisions right now, take your time, you are going through enough losing your dear wife.
Agree with advice from AlvaDeer, and JoAnn.
Wishing you the best.
Several years ago, my son said something to me that got my Irish up, and I'm not even Irish. He mentioned something to the effect that my money was 'his money' and I immediately corrected that twisted logic. I told him, make no mistake, MY money is MY money and I intend to SPEND every last dime while I'm alive so there IS no inheritance for ANYONE.
My statement to him is not necessarily the truth. But it IS true that My Money Is MY Money and Not His Money, and I Will Do With It As I Please.
Which is my suggestion to YOU. Live well, my friend. Spend your money on yourself. Renovate your house. Buy a fancy car. Take a luxury vacation when this whole pandemic crisis is over. In other words, LIVE. Have the best of everything and let your offspring fend for themselves.
The 'entitled' generation is entitled to nothing, in reality. They just think they are. You know what they say about rude awakenings and all...........
I went back and read your first post. Seems one son has been avoiding you since the shutdown. You have gotten some good replies here, and I agree with all of them.
The sooner you stop expecting anything from your children the better. I will assume you are in your mid 70s, early 80s? Like said, spend your money. First, I would see a lawyer. You might want to assign a POA but I wouldn't make it one of your children. Then draft a new will. Maybe a simple one for now. I would mention in it since your children had no interest in helping you, that what is left of your estate will be split among your granchildren. That money will be put in a trust till they are 21. Or, give it all to charity.
I, too, would start downsizing. Believe me, you accumulate a lot of "stuff" in 54 years. Start by getting rid of things you have never worn or haven't worn in years. Keep only kitchen stuff you will use. I doubt if you will use that 12 place china and silver that ur wife had. Crystal? This kind of stuff an estate sale company may buy from you. You could make a list of things and ask the kids what they would want. Giving them a time to get back to you. If they don't get back o you, donate or sell. If you have a home, like suggested, downsize. Do you really want the upkeep and taxes. (I live in NJ and what I pay in taxes would get me a nice apt for at least 4 or 5 months) Facebook has yardsale sights. Find one in your area. You would be surprised what people will buy.
These are all decisions you will need to make, it looks like on your own.
You are free to leave property as you please. I do understand how you feel that in light of the inheritance the adult children should help you. While I normally say that adults don't owe their senior parents time, work, help, etc. in some cases, it only seems fair. If there were an inheritance in place, I think that I would be very willing to help out my father who needs it. To thumb your nose at an inheritance seems quite foolish to me. I've learned that we can't make others feel and act in the ways we think are wise.
But, the choice is yours. I would keep in mind that when some children are left out of a will or get very little, they may remain bitter to those who did inherit and it brings out family strife between the siblings forever. I hope things work out and get resolved to your satisfaction.
I helped my mother manage her daily affairs with errands, cleaning, shopping, home maintenance, for more than 7 years as well as being a caregiver when she was sick or injured. However, if my mother had money to pay for help, I would have expected her to do that rather than continue using me as a source of unpaid labor. I would have liked our relationship to be a source of mutual support and companionship, not a source of constant demands and friction. You have the luxury of being able to pay for help and letting yourself just be their dad and your kids just be your kids. You're losing out on the relationships you could be having with them by trying to turn it into a service for payment relationship. I'm sorry you lost your wife. You don't need to lose your kids and grandkids too.
Do what I want when I want or no inheritance! That's just ugly.
I agree with your children, hire someone to do your bidding.
I am sorry for your loss, but it doesn't give you the right to treat your children the way you described.
My condolences on the loss of your wife, death is even harder now when we cannot grieve as a community.
Having said that your kids and grandkids are not responsible for your care. It is unreasonable to ask them to be at your beck and call. And it is unforgivable to threaten to disinherit them if they do not ask how high when you say jump.
You state, "Their attitude is I pay someone to help me they are too busy with their own family. This hurt me a great deal because they want my assets but don't want to help and when they ever do, they believe they are doing me a favor." They are very clearly telling you to use your assets to pay your way, they are not saying they want your assets. And yes, they are doing you a favour.
You say you have lots of assets, use them to hire people to do the jobs you need doing.
You are driving your kids and grand kids away with your expectations that they will provide you with free labour. If every interaction with you is you demanding they do a job for you or they will lose their inheritance, then of course they are going to avoid you.
You can do what ever you want with your assets, but your family is clearly setting boundaries with you and will not dance to your tune any longer.
I'm also in agreement also with the suggestion to invest in a retirement community that offers full range of care, from independent living to skilled nursing, and leaving a small token sum to the kids if it's felt necessary.
Forget about trying to "leave" anything to anyone.
(Ok, maybe establish a fund for college for the grandchildren but forget the kids)
Use YOUR money to take care of YOU NOW.
If you need work done, pay someone to do it
If the house it getting a bit large for you find a nice Independent living community that has a full range of care.
Travel, go to the places that you and your wife wanted to go. If you do not want to go yourself then join a travel group.
Start now getting rid of items that no one wants. That China cabinet you got from "Great Grandma Eugenia"..no one in the family wants sell it or donate it. The collection of tea pots ....trust me no one wants them either, donate or sell them. Clothes you no longer wear, if they are "vintage" (polite way of saying really old) donate to the local school Theater Group. And on and on.
Some of these things might be difficult to do now but get a plan in place.
the money YOU earned, YOU saved should be used for YOUR care.
IF there is anything left maybe word your Will so that the money goes into a Trust to be used for College or other advanced education for your Grandchildren and depending on how much is in the Trust and how it grows another generation can take advantage of it.