Inheritance division

[MakenaTile]

I'd like your feedback on whats fair
Dad dies. There are 2 kids and a 2nd wife.
There's a custom built big main house on 3 acers in Hawaii with a split level out building with an office and shop same size as the house (2,000 sqft?) with kitchen and bathroom plus a second attached office building. Worth 900k -1.4m there are 3 rental houses on small properties in the area.
Dad leaves the healthy younger wife the 3 cottages plus half the main house. One of the 3 cottages is in a trust so when widow dies (in 25 years) the daughter gets the cottage but isnt allowed to sell it. She can only pass it on to her kids who are allowed to sell. The reason for the delay is because she is on ssi and will lose her assistance if she sells the house(when she is 85)

The son gets half the main house.
Nothing was going to get sold. The plan was wife lives in main house and collects rent from cottages until she dies then son moves into main house and 2 of her nephews get 2 of the cottages. Son ends up staying with dad for 4 months to put will together before he dies. Afterhe dies he goes back and spends 5 months getting rid of all his stuff (even tho step mom has kicked him off property and want him gone- taking too long to get rid of stuff)

Its 6 months later. Main house is going to get sold. Son feels he doesnt have to share any of the money with sister because:

1. That how dad intended (remember he was there helping dad write will)
2. he earned it because he was not working while there. (He quit his job for other reasons before going there and hasnt gotten a job since he got back 5 months ago)
3. He's offering to give 10k as a down on a house - but retains rights if she sells.
4. Says the cash is equal to value of house that her kids will get. Tho it will be 50 years old and likely in need of major renovation by then. Step mother will be living in it until she dies.
5. says its not his responsibility to fix dads unfair decisions. (Note- the son is a computer tech that was making 250k a year while sisters ssi is 10k a year)

There is no law saying you cant hand someone cash.

Because cottages are in stepmothers name- she can decide to not leave it to the step daughter. After all - her money alone was used to buy the lots and build all 3 cottages.

The minimum he will end up with after taxes is 400k Cash-. Should his sister get any of it? And how much would be fair?

Thanks

[Lazarus]

Wow. Not sure you'll get a lot of legal help here, but stranger things have happened.

[Gozo]

That’s a story (in assorted variations) that we’ve all heard. From a legal standpoint, so long as the will was properly written and executed, it is what it is. It’s amazing how family shows it’s true colors once money gets involved. Ethically and morally is different from legally.
There are advantages of a life well lived...by that I mean you spend your last dime with your last breath. Avoids scenarios like you mentioned.

[Houston Remodeler]

The lesson here is don't write screwed up wills!!

He can give the sister money if he chooses. Considering she doesn't have the money to sue him, she can stamp her feet all she wants.

[Davy]

I'm not an attorney and I don't play one on TV. But, I agree, the son's income is irrelevant. He can share if he wants.

[MakenaTile]

Wasn't looking for legal advice. Just wanted to know if people thought he was justified in keeping everything or if hes being a greedy asswipe. Personally, what hes doing makes me feel nauseated. That he's deluded himself into thinking its fair is nuts. His income matters in that he's able to earn a lot of money and doesnt even need the 400k.
Oh well. What comes around goes around.

[Bodie Powers]

Fair doesn't account for much when it comes to legally binding wills/trusts.

[Wayne67vert]

Remember the only place the word fair works is behind the word county!