Psst: Your Greed Is Showing

Dear Ann Landers: Two years ago my father passed away, leaving almost everything to his wife, to whom he had been married for only nine years. My brother, “Joe,” and I are upset by this and feel that we have been cheated.

Dad married “Susan” four years after Mom died. She was 39, and Dad was 64. He sold our old family home, which was mortgage-free, and gave both Joe and me 10 percent each of the proceeds. He then moved into Susan’s home. Over the years, a fair amount of money was put into Susan’s house. They lived very well and took two expensive trips every year.

Everyone, including me, thought Dad and Susan were the perfect couple. We got along extremely well. Susan told me she felt like she was only borrowing my father, which endeared her to me even more. I told Dad not to worry about leaving any money to me and to just enjoy his life.

Susan always had a good job. She also had a small business that Dad helped her with from time to time. She sold her business shortly before Dad died.

The only provision Dad made for my brother and me was one-third of his life insurance policy for each of us. His will stipulated that if he and his wife died together, his sons would get no share of her business and it would go to her only son. Susan did give Joe and me $8,000 each, but we think she should have given us at least another $15,000.

What Joe and I want to know is why my father didn’t protect some of his assets for his sons the way Susan did for hers. How much money, if any, did he put into her business? Why didn’t they have a prenuptial agreement? What was her business worth before their marriage and how much did she get when she sold it? We also figure that Susan could outlive my brother, who is 40, and me. I am 34.

Joe and I think that to be fair, Susan should figure out the difference between how much Dad brought into the marriage and how much more he was worth when he died, and then give us half.

We would have liked to continue our friendship with Susan, but now, we wonder if we should go our separate ways and tell her why - or would it be in our best interest to keep things pleasant, not rock the boat and hope she will remember us in her will? - Bewildered in Ontario

Dear Bewildered: Benjamin Franklin was certainly right when he said if you want to know what people are like, just share an inheritance with them.

It appears to me that everything was peachy pie until your father’s will was read. Remember, you told your dad not to leave you anything but to enjoy his life. When he took you at your word and did just that, you were surprised and disappointed and are now trying to figure out how to get more.

You thought Susan was the perfect wife for your father until you learned that she inherited the bulk of his estate. How ungenerous! The notion that you are entitled to part of Susan’s business profits is nutty. She gave you and your brother $8,000 each as a gift. Remember?

I don’t know much about the inheritance law in Canada, but in the United States, you wouldn’t stand a ghost of a chance if you tried to break your father’s will.

My advice is kwitcherbellyachin’ and accept the situation with grace - if it isn’t too late.

Gem of the Day: Drive carefully. Remember, it’s not only a car that can be recalled by its maker.