Not all children turn out as their parents hope. Sometimes that is down to the child, sometimes it is down to the parents’ preconceptions about how their child should be. And sometimes, it’s a mixture of things, with both parties partly to blame.
It’s therefore essential to take your time to reflect on the matter if you believe that you want to disinherit a child. Firstly, you need to understand whether it is permitted.
Adults can be excluded; minors cannot
You can only disinherit a child once they become an official adult. If the law still classifies them as a minor when you die, then a court will ensure that they still receive something from your estate, regardless of your intentions.
An adult child, however, is another matter. You can disinherit an adult, but you need to be unambiguous about your intentions. Rather than leave your adult child one dollar (as is commonly heard), your will should state that you are intentionally excluding them. You may or may not choose to state why. The failure to do so could leave your estate vulnerable to litigation.
You may also consider using direct beneficiary designations or a trust, instead of a will. Assets that transfer directly to a beneficiary and assets held in trust do not go through probate, and that can make it easier for you to control where the money goes. It also makes those assets less likely to be the focus of litigation if your disinherited child tries to sue.
Ultimately, disinheriting an adult child can lead to fractures in your family, but it may be the appropriate choice. You should also seek legal guidance to learn if any other, less dramatic options could be a better choice.