Cynthia’s answer to “Do you think parents 'owe' it to their children to leave them an inheritance? What would be the arg…” > Likes and Comments
43 likes · Like
Great answer! I totally agree.
I see the point. The message brings across the sentiment perfectly and I would have suggested something similar myself. I read into things on this subject.
I would say to please have some kind of life insurance or money set aside to close out any medical bills and cover funeral expenses. While I don't say you are obligated to leave them an inheritance, they also probably don't want to inherit a bunch of debt either.
Leaving an adult child money is a nice thing to do, but not necessary. Some parents just don't have any money to leave. However, if the parent has money, and is not leaving it to the adult child, the parent needs to be upfront about it. An adult child should know exactly where s/he stands, so s/he does not feel obligated to take care of a parent in their declining years when the inheritance is going to a girlfriend or step-children. If the children are not adults, then I believe that the money should be set aside to take care of them, and the husband/wife if the parent is married.
we want our children to be better off than we are/were. To accomplish that we must teach them how to live in this world. Always teaching by example the kindness and honorable ways of accomplishing their goals. If we have money, by all means I don't think we should deprive them of what we've had. But money certainly isn't the most important thing.
All along the lines of not giving a fish to a begged, but teaching them to fish (for themselves).
Some people wait all their lives for their inheritance and rely constanty on their parants to support them financially. Kids need to get a life of their own and work hard for their own money. Parants have worked hard their whole lives for money and they should be able to spend it without any guilt! They deserve a great retirement! ;)
I think it's a plus if you can, but shouldn't be an essential driver for the parents.
No today's children always leaning on their parents for financial support even after adulthood. So no it come a time when the umbilical cord should be cut even after death!
No it is nice if you can but children should not depend on that for the future they have to make their own way.
Sorry Ms. Sweeney. I agree with you but your answers is nothing new. Think outside the box. In many countries even if a person works hard he may not be able to make it even if one bad luck strikes. So inheritance could an insurance. for bad times., One less person for God to worry about.
I agree! An inheritance should be seen as a gift - something that you should never expect to receive.
What if the parents inherited wealth from their parents? On the other hand I would guess that today's middle class parents are less likely to have much left over when they die because they are living longer, there are more treatments available, and treatments are more costly. But I do like the idea of making and leaving memories.
Don't be so selfish. You owe your children a fair start in life. I don't think you can quantify that with a set amount of money or inheritance. But if you don't give them a chance to live a happy life, then you've failed as a parent. I see way too many people talk about taking care of themselves beyond the extent it was meant to be. Your children are your legacy, and you need to be prepared because no one knows when their life is up. My parents made sure I could take care of them when they passed away, and I will make sure of the same for my kids.
To give a sensible answer, extend the context. The planet for example. We (collectively) owe our children at least as much as we received. And we owe a little bit more: the part that is called progress. Now, that is the aim, and life always causes variations. I think this is a good guideline, even for individual situation. Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney only side-stepped the question.
I personally believe that the intergenerational transfer of wealth is an important safeguard for family security. But no one should "wait" on an inheritance or wish for family members to die so they can get one. It shows real backbone to save for the future, even if that future is not yours, but your descendants.
And by the way, The Nest is a great read.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Cynthia
(new)
Mar 04, 2016 12:53PM
Great answer! I totally agree.
reply
|
flag
I see the point. The message brings across the sentiment perfectly and I would have suggested something similar myself. I read into things on this subject.
I would say to please have some kind of life insurance or money set aside to close out any medical bills and cover funeral expenses. While I don't say you are obligated to leave them an inheritance, they also probably don't want to inherit a bunch of debt either.
Leaving an adult child money is a nice thing to do, but not necessary. Some parents just don't have any money to leave. However, if the parent has money, and is not leaving it to the adult child, the parent needs to be upfront about it. An adult child should know exactly where s/he stands, so s/he does not feel obligated to take care of a parent in their declining years when the inheritance is going to a girlfriend or step-children. If the children are not adults, then I believe that the money should be set aside to take care of them, and the husband/wife if the parent is married.
we want our children to be better off than we are/were. To accomplish that we must teach them how to live in this world. Always teaching by example the kindness and honorable ways of accomplishing their goals. If we have money, by all means I don't think we should deprive them of what we've had. But money certainly isn't the most important thing. All along the lines of not giving a fish to a begged, but teaching them to fish (for themselves).
Some people wait all their lives for their inheritance and rely constanty on their parants to support them financially. Kids need to get a life of their own and work hard for their own money. Parants have worked hard their whole lives for money and they should be able to spend it without any guilt! They deserve a great retirement! ;)
I think it's a plus if you can, but shouldn't be an essential driver for the parents.
No today's children always leaning on their parents for financial support even after adulthood. So no it come a time when the umbilical cord should be cut even after death!
No it is nice if you can but children should not depend on that for the future they have to make their own way.
Sorry Ms. Sweeney. I agree with you but your answers is nothing new. Think outside the box. In many countries even if a person works hard he may not be able to make it even if one bad luck strikes. So inheritance could an insurance. for bad times., One less person for God to worry about.
I agree! An inheritance should be seen as a gift - something that you should never expect to receive.
What if the parents inherited wealth from their parents? On the other hand I would guess that today's middle class parents are less likely to have much left over when they die because they are living longer, there are more treatments available, and treatments are more costly. But I do like the idea of making and leaving memories.
Don't be so selfish. You owe your children a fair start in life. I don't think you can quantify that with a set amount of money or inheritance. But if you don't give them a chance to live a happy life, then you've failed as a parent. I see way too many people talk about taking care of themselves beyond the extent it was meant to be. Your children are your legacy, and you need to be prepared because no one knows when their life is up. My parents made sure I could take care of them when they passed away, and I will make sure of the same for my kids.
To give a sensible answer, extend the context. The planet for example. We (collectively) owe our children at least as much as we received. And we owe a little bit more: the part that is called progress. Now, that is the aim, and life always causes variations. I think this is a good guideline, even for individual situation. Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney only side-stepped the question.
I personally believe that the intergenerational transfer of wealth is an important safeguard for family security. But no one should "wait" on an inheritance or wish for family members to die so they can get one. It shows real backbone to save for the future, even if that future is not yours, but your descendants.
And by the way, The Nest is a great read.
