If, indeed, he does maintain that you and your brother receive the full sum of money from the house that belonged to your parents, I’m interested to know what kind of outcome you’d be happy with.
Given that money is now tied up in the home he’s bought with his fiancee, would you seek for her being forced to sell it when he dies to free up the cash? Would you consider her to have “earned” more of a share depending on how long they’re together?
I imagine what you’re most worried about is a situation where your father leaves a significant sum to you and your brother, and his new wife contests the will.
There are only a handful of instances where this is possible, but she may be able to if she can prove the will does not contain a “reasonable provision” for her to live from. This is usually only possible if she can prove she has been financially dependent on your father.
Without knowing how financially savvy your father is, or the specific steps he’s taken when he tells you he’s “sorted it out”, it’s hard to say whether or not this kind of contest would be possible, or necessary.
He doesn’t sound like an unreasonable person, so there’s every chance he’s managed to organise his affairs to provide for both his new wife and his children. If he doesn’t want to talk to you about it, you may just have to trust this is the case.
In the meantime, perhaps you should trust he knows what he’s doing and try to be happy that he’s managed to find love again later in life.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll publish the best responses. Email us – in confidence – with your own Moral Money questions: moralmoney@telegraph.co.uk
Last week’s Moral Money was ‘My husband can’t afford our family holiday to Disney – should I leave him at home?’
The best of your comments:
Emmeline Lucas
This question would never be asked if the husband was the higher earner. And the fact that he was the higher earner would never be mentioned.
My husband only realised recently that I have always earned more than him. The money has always gone into one pot, and becomes our money. It’s worked for 36 years.
Cris White
I always say to my wife – who stays at home and looks after the little one – its not *my* money its our money. I’ve said it so often that she is saying it back to me so it’s finally sinking in.
So from my point of view in this scenario, there is no his money, there is no her money. There is only FAMILY money. You can make arguments for and against paying for cricket and all that jazz but at the end of the day.. I’m sure the wife has her own equivalent spends. Family holiday – family money.
AE Newell
I say leave him at home and take the children to Disney. Spending all his dosh on an expensive hobby is selfish. Why should the kids miss out on an exciting special holiday?
I’m in the same boat as the wife. My husband has a low income and spends what he’s got on his stamp collection. He contributes very little to the household – I’d get more from a lodger!
Read More: ‘My dad has sold our family home – will his fiancee get my inheritance?’