Talking with adult children about inheritance without a courtroom script
Practical prompts for UK families who want clarity on gifts, property, and expectations before documents are drafted.
Inheritance conversations stall when people fear sounding greedy or cold. A useful meeting is closer to a household inventory than a drama rehearsal.
Start with facts, not percentages
List property, pensions death benefits, and significant personal items. Note who already holds lasting powers or knows where documents live. Only then discuss how equal or unequal shares should feel — “equal” can mean different things when one child received help with a deposit years earlier.
Keep the solicitor’s role clear
Advisers can help families articulate intentions and spot planning questions. Solicitors turn agreed intentions into valid documents under the right legal system. Mixing those roles creates confusion and delay.
Our inheritance conversation session produces a one-page outline families can hand to a solicitor. It does not replace legal advice; it reduces the number of vague “we’ll sort it later” loops that leave executors guessing.