Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Kentucky

A little over a year ago the father of my 2 children commited suicide. We had been seperated for almost 3 years so i was completely shocked to find out that i was still the benificiary on his annuitty and pension. The problem is that he also has 4 other children (by 3 differant woman) and at the time his parents told me the money was left to me i was "convinced" that the money shoud be split between all the kids. I did agree that i would give some money to each kid after i paid the funeral and monument and cemetary costs. I am now being HARASSED by these other kids and there families for "their part of the money". Am i obligated to give the money to them.


Asked on 8/25/10, 2:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Andrea Welker Welker Law Office

If the money was left to you, it belongs to you. But it is possible you have entered some sort of oral contract in promising the money to them, if, for instance, you received some sort of consideration in return, or they've relied upon your promise of the money to their detriment somehow. So, you should discuss the matter in depth with an attorney before deciding not to fulfill your promise to give them the money.

However, if you are actually being *harassed* about the money, these sound like really greedy people. If you still want each child to be provided for, perhaps you should consider setting up a trust for the children, instead of just writing a check. A trust for their education, for instance, or some other way that their father might have approved of the money being used, instead of just being blown in a few months. You can speak with an attorney about that as well, or an experienced financial advisor.

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Answered on 8/31/10, 6:42 pm


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