Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Anyone willing to admit they are expecting an inheritance?

Nothing shows a persons true colors like a custody dispute or a probate dispute. Ask any lawyer.
Many people with "loving" siblings who think things will go smoothly after the parents' demise are in for a big surprise.

Interesting topic.
I don't honestly know. No one ever talked about money in my family growing up. My parents have been quite successful and my brothers and I both have jobs and are self sufficient. I felt like I grew up middle class to upper middle class, but I grew up in an expensive suburban town, so no doubt it was probably above average. I do expect to have a solid retirement from my own earnings and investments. My parents tried to instill a low debt lifestyle in us, and wanted us to graduate college without the burden of a student loan debt that so many have. I would like to be able to at least do that for my future children, but hopefully more.

My Dad came from literally nothing, but my mother is a different story. His Dad died while living in an nonrunning RV at a truck stop in the California desert. My mom was successful in her own right, but I never paid attention to what she came from until more recently. As I opened my eyes to the lifestyle that she was blessed with as a child, the more I realized might be in her parent's estate. Just in the last year or so, I heard a story of my grandfather losing millions (of Finnmarks? Dollars? Deutsch marks? I don't know, these aren't the kinds of follow up questions that you ask in my family) in the late 50s or early 60s during his failed attempt to build a shipping company like his wife's family (my grandmother's family helped to start one in 1897 that is still in existence, although not in its original form). I do know that my grandfather's inheritance from his adopted mother, and therefore his consequent illegal adoption was part of 4 nation dispute. Recently, I've learned of his real mother's adoption of another woman and her family, but saw letters that pretty well spelled out that he would be getting her money, while this other woman would inherit her apartment in Vienna. The family that my great-grandmother adopted is from a line of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Castell-Rudenhausen and the von Auerspergs (look em up). My great grandmother was of more minor nobility, but still fascinating to me nevertheless. Does that mean those individuals were rich? I don't know. Other interesting historical factoids that my grandmother has shared with me from the businesses of her and my grandfather's colorful life has certainly hinted at that the fact they were never lacking and did well even after this shipping debacle.
So, as I've dug into their family history, I can't help but wonder, what, if anything is there that my brothers and I may inherit. Like I said, none of us need money, but I'm very curious what there is, and not just in terms of cash. I've seen some pretty priceless antique heirlooms, some of which my grandmother has already given me or my brothers (but mostly me, though my older brother did lose my grandfather's signet ring).
My grandfather died 2 years ago. My grandmother is 87. Will it all go to my mother? I don't know, and I don't dare ask, it doesn't seem like appropriate table talk. I don't think my mother knew or appreciated the history of successful businessmen that she came from until very recently, so these obviously weren't conversations she had with her parents either.

My fiance's grandfather is 92. I know he has something like 1600 acres of farm land in western Kansas that seems to provide the trustees in her family with some nice income. But once again, she doesn't know if there is anything specifically for her or just her Dad and Aunt.

So, my point is, I'm not going to lie, I do think about it. I'm not ashamed of it, but I do try to hide that history and don't bring it up in conversation because of what other people might infer from it. The anonymity of the internet allows me to feel more comfortable talking about it than with friends and coworkers. I dang sure am not counting on an inheritance and will continue to try to live a lifestyle that shouldn't ever need it. But, like I said, I wonder what's there. Is that wrong?

A proper trust makes for smooth sailing.

Interesting to read how so many posts did not address the OP's question, at all. Like folks wishing that those smartly invested in the stock market should fail. Peculiar.

A proper trust makes for smooth sailing.