Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington
Inheritance by step-parent
I wish my estate to be divided
equally between a friend, my
brother, and my step-mother. Is
there any problem with just saying
in my will that these three people
should ''share and share alike''--in
other words, is it a mistake to put
them together in the will like this,
even though they don't form a
natural group (one being a blood
relative, one a non-blood relative,
and one not a relative at all). These
people are in three different states.
Only my brother lives in Washington.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Inheritance by step-parent
The status of the beneficiaries you choose doesn't matter particularly, but Mr. Busch's suggestion that you have counsel review your will is a good one. It doesn't matter where they live.
What I'd be more concerned about is what happens if one of these persons does not survive you. Does his (or her) share then go to his (or her) surviving heirs, or does it then simply get divided among your surviving heirs?
What if they all die first? Have you nominated a charity just in case?
It is questions like this that make Mr. Busch and I suggest you talk with a lawyer.
Elizabeth Powell
Re: Inheritance by step-parent
That is fine. You can name whomever you'd like in your will. However, if you are married or have children you need to address them in your will, even if you are disinheriting them.
I always suggest that if you are drafting your own will you at least consider paying an attorney to review the finished product to make sure you haven't missed anything important.
Remember, I'm an attorney but I'm not YOUR attorney. Only a thorough review of your situation by a competent attorney after an attorney-client relationship has been established will result in an informed legal opinion.
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