Warren Buffett says your grown kids should read your will before you sign — his own will decide on 99% of his fortune

Preaching what he practiced, Buffett shared this advice with parents about being upfront about your will while you’re alive:

“When your children are mature, have them read your will before you sign it,” he wrote. “Be sure each child understands both the logic for your decisions and the responsibilities they will encounter upon your death.”

He has adjusted his will based on his own children’s feedback and is directing the cash to their charitable foundations and that of his late first wife to distribute as they see fit. The man who once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it” trusts them.

After all, his son Howard succeeded him as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway in September, and all three children are philanthropists who actively manage charitable trusts.

Here’s why experts agree that people should follow Buffett’s advice on wills as much as they do his advice on investing.

What children don’t know can hurt them

Buffett said he’d seen too many cases where families were torn apart learning about a will after a parent died, leaving them with unanswered questions, anger, or jealousy about another sibling’s inheritance. Not the greatest legacy.

Unfortunately, fear of family conflict itself may cause parents to avoid discussing their will. In fact, 32% of Americans surveyed by Western & Southern Financial Group admitted they were afraid they’d upset or worry family members if they talked about their will. More than 50% said simply talking about end-of-life plans made them uncomfortable.

According to a 2025 Fidelity family and finance study, while 70% of parents had prepared a will, 68% hadn’t told their children about their inheritances. That’s despite 97% of the respondents agreeing that it’s important to talk about estate planning with your family.

Many parents are not as confident in Buffett in their adult children’s ability to manage money. A 2025 Fidelity family and finance study found that 40% of parents don’t think their children can manage debt and 43% don’t think they can stick to a budget.

But parents who don’t talk to their children about their wills are not only setting them up for conflict, but for potential financial headaches too. Disagreements over inheritances could lead some family members to challenge a will in probate court, a costly process.

Heirs may face an unexpected inheritance tax in some states including Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The more time children have to prepare so they can manage future inheritances — or manage expectations if there will be no inheritance — the better.

Talk to your children about your will early

Experts recommend setting up a family meeting to talk through the will openly so that everyone is on the same page and allowing time for people to ask questions.