Our Adult Son Has Made Some Baffling Life Decisions. The Result Is That He’s Broke in His 50s.

Key Points:

• A couple in their early 70s seeks advice on updating their will, concerned about their eldest son Ben's complicated financial and personal situation, including his ongoing financial support of two households despite being separated from his wife Terri.
• They worry that if Ben remains married to Terri, she could claim half of his inheritance upon divorce, or that his partner Jane might misuse the inheritance, leaving Ben still financially unstable.
• The suggested solution is to establish a well-designed trust to protect Ben’s inheritance from direct access by Terri or Jane, with controlled disbursements managed by a neutral trustee rather than one of Ben’s sisters to avoid family conflict.
• The advice includes consulting an attorney to create trusts for all children and grandchildren, determining the disposition of Ben’s trust if he passes without children, and possibly directing remaining funds to other grandchildren or charity.
• The column also briefly mentions a separate case of a man falsely rumored to be the father of a baby, highlighting the impact of gossip and community judgment.