Jul 7, 2026
It’s hard enough to navigate familial finances under the best circumstances, but when a loved one dies and certain members of the family are estranged, it adds another layer of complexity.
This was the case for a man who called into “The Ramsey Show” last July from San Jose, California. Michael told hosts George Kamel and Jade Warshaw that when his dad passed away a few months prior he left him with everything — his house, investments and business. He gave nothing to his estranged sisters. And now, they want him to pay off their student loans using the inheritance.
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Between the two of them, the sisters owe $300,000 in student loans, and their father left Michael upwards of $10 million.
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Given their fraught family situation, Michael does not know what to do.
Should you share an inheritance with family who was cut out of the will?
Kamel says this issue seems “more relational-emotional than it is financial” telling Michael that he could “write them a check and pay off the loans, but I don’t know that you’d agree with the principle behind it or that that would have been your fathers heart.”
Michael told Kamel and Warshaw that this isn’t the first money-related issue the family has had.
It all dates back to what split the family apart in the first place — their mother’s affair. Michael said that his sisters sided with their mother when their parents divorced after the affair. He sided with his dad. The siblings were all teenagers at the time.
Apparently, the sisters preferred their mother’s affair partner over their dad. He bought them a lot of stuff at a time when their dad’s business wasn’t successful. “He probably bought their love and affection” Michael said.
Years later, when the sisters were going to post-secondary school, they asked their dad for money. He refused, which is why they had to take out such hefty loans.
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“Is this your father having an immature moment?” Warshaw questioned him about his father cutting his daughters off.
Michael admitted he’d like to move forward with his sisters, but he is not ready to forgive them yet.
“I think you’re going to be resentful if you give this money. And I’d rather them be resentful towards you than you be resentful towards them” Kamel told him.
Michael isn’t alone in his situation. Many families have debates surrounding inheritance money.
Freedom of Information data obtained by law firm Irwin Mitchell, showed that the number of inheritance disputes being fought in the High Court was high in 2025, with 11,328 probate caveat applications being lodged in 2025. This is 55% more than in 2019.
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Before giving away inherited money, consider these steps
“You’re not ready to forgive your sisters and cause reconciliation, and giving this money feels like you’re taking this next step” Kamel said to Michael, urging him not to give the money if he does not feel emotionally ready. Warshaw encouraged him to forgive them, eventually.
In the meantime, it would be wise for Michael to speak with a financial advisor. With such a large inheritance on his hands, and the potential of him sharing this money with his sisters down the line, getting a professional’s guidance can help ensure the money is being organized wisely.
In terms of the emotional component, Michael may want to speak with a therapist or other professional who is well versed in familial tension — whether on his own or with his sisters — to help him determine what he wants to do with the money.
If the time comes that Michael decides he wants to help his sisters pay off their loans, Kamel wants him “to be giving out of joy,” if he can get there.
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Em Norton is a Content Specialist at moneywise.com. They have been with the company since 2022.
