Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 12/22/2008

Question
My wife and I have been married 25 years and have 4 children together. I have two children from a previous marriage and they were primarily raised by their mother. When my wife and I got married we basically had no assets. We are now doing a living trust. My wife feels our 4 sons should get 20% each and my two sons from a previous marriage should inherit 20% split between them since they are also going to inherit from their mother. I struggle with this and feel like all six of my sons should share equally in this trust.

Answer
Hi JT

Thanks for this interesting question.  I do not have any scriptural passages to cite to help here.  I can say that personally, I tend to agree with your wife.  You have a special bond to your 4 children that you raised in your house.  You presumably also gave child support all these years, and your ex shares some legacy responsabilities here.  Ultimately this is a decision that the two of you must make together.  I am sorry that I cannot give you anything more specific on this issue.

Remember my advice is simply my oppinion, I do not have any scriptural mandate either way,

I am also sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don