When my mother passed away, her trust was split mostly between me and my sister, with a small percentage to my sister’s two kids. My mother and my sister lived together. My mother put the down payment on their house, and they split the mortgage and utilities.
My sister covered most of the mortgage. I have always imagined gifting a percentage of my stake in the house to my sister because she has been responsible for providing care for our mother and shared the expenses. In general, I have no interest in forcing her to sell the house, pay me rent, or buy me out, but also do not want to be financially responsible for the mortgage or upkeep, considering that she lives there, and I don’t need to benefit financially until she decides it’s time to sell the house.
My sister recently said she thinks she deserves more stake in the house. I don’t disagree, however, from my understanding, she has also received much more financial support than I have over the years (as well as a very affordable place to live). Her kids are also receiving a more significant portion of the estate than was intended.
All in all, her side is inheriting 55 percent of the estate and I am inheriting 45 percent. Originally, I was thinking I would gift her 25 percent to consider her investment in the house over the years, but with the kids’ percentages, I was thinking maybe 10 percent to 15 percent would be fairer. What do you think? In the best cases, inheritances, wills and trusts are our ways of commun.