I don’t give inheritance early for fear of becoming reliant on my children

By Tieu Nho  &nbspNovember 20, 2024 | 03:00 pm PT

Some parents delay passing on their inheritance to avoid becoming dependent on their children. Illustration photo by Pixabay

Many people transfer their property to their children early, only to be kicked out of their homes or treated like outsiders.

Not everyone who receives an inheritance early can use it as a stepping stone to success. Having money is one thing, but achieving success requires the right timing and circumstances.

I inherited a house worth VND1 billion (US$39,300) from my parents, but that was not the key to my success. I had to work hard for years to amass wealth. Eventually, your assets will go to your children when you pass away, but it is crucial to teach them the value of providing for themselves rather than relying solely on family wealth. What we earn through hard work lasts, while inherited assets can disappear as quickly as they arrive.

I have decided not to transfer my assets to my children until I can no longer care for myself. As long as I remain financially independent, I will not hand over the house I worked so hard to build only to live as a dependent. I can manage my finances, and any surplus will go into a bank account.

The idea of asking my children for money, after spending my entire youth earning it, is disheartening. I would feel sad if it ever came to that.

I do not see the point of transferring inherited assets early. My niece, for instance, received two houses when she was young but still tries to take everything from her older sister now that she is older. She has even refused to let her sister live in one of the properties, despite their parents still being alive. So, is early inheritance really a good thing?

Giving your children a plot of land is not inherently wrong, but it raises concerns about whether they can make good use of the assets. Some may want all the wealth they can get from their parents but may not take on the responsibility of caring for them when they grow old.

Many people who transfer property to their children early find themselves pushed out of their homes or living in hardship, enduring daily scolding. I do not want that for myself, so I will keep my assets as they are and only transfer them when I am very old and weak.

I still live comfortably in my own home. Why should I transfer everything to my children, only to risk becoming a burden to them?

*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match Read’ viewpoints.


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