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cropsey, il 61731 | I hope I've raised my kids to see it as a blessing regardless of what they get. I get the feeling that there is entitlement working here and even if it's split evenly there will be squabbles.
It's also the kids choice as to their future. I think they should be allowed to make that choice and understand the ramifications.
It's not unthinkable that the farm crashes before anyone can take over and there is no inheritance anyway. You guys are assuming endless land value increases and sufficient gov't cheese to keep it running.
Inheritance is no indication of my love for my kids. Don't make it one. "you can't buy love?"
My parents left a decent inheritance to myself and 2 brothers. When they retired, they wanted to start a winery and sell wine. They got told it's a tough business and a money loser. They sat around for 25 years and died rather poorly. I would have preferred them to be alive, have no money and be bumming gas money from me to get home.
My son has just come to work with me raising hogs and some grain. It's a pleasant surprise, but at some point the discussion of how my 4 other daughters fit in will come up. I want to help my son have leg up from where I started (zero), but not take away too much of the pain of experience (I will be gone some day). I definitely won't have him buy out his siblings, but maybe there is some level they share in the farm. They all made a decision and decisions have consequences. I'm ok with that and I don't love them any less.
Another way to consider this is should I tear up my business and one child's future to satisfy the other children? Who is greedy there? Who is entitled?
I personally wouldn't start from McHusker's position (inheritance amount indicates love) because that's a guaranteed fight. Inheritance is not a manipulation tool. It takes lots of communication and raising decent kids who are willing to discuss options.
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To the young guys- inheritance
