10/16/2026
Fidelity's 2025 wealth transfer study found that roughly 67 percent of parents age 55 and older have never told their adult children what they will inherit, or whether they will inherit anything at all.
About 33 percent would prefer the kids are kept in the dark about the amount.
Their reasons should feel familiar:
âď¸ Worry that a specific number will dampen a child's drive
âď¸ Discomfort talking about money at all
The same study found:
Most adult children say they are ready to handle whatever they inherit and would rather shape things while their parents are still around to explain the "why" behind decisions.
Families who have inheritance strategies share some similar habits:
đŹ Kids know who the financial professionals are and how to reach them
đŹ Everyone knows where the estate documents are
đŹ They try to manage any surprises well ahead of time
So, do you tell your children or not?
There's no single right answer here.
The most important part may not be deciding exactly what to share, but making sure your family knows enough to navigate the future with confidence.
If you're not sure how much to share, what to share, or how to start the conversation, an advisor can help you think through the conversation as part of your broader financial and estate planning.
Visit Forge Financial to connect with our team or an advisor and start the conversation. http://www.forgefinancial.com/