I wouldn't say pissing it up against a wall . I agree , that would be a waste .
More talking about enjoying the benefits of lifelong savings . Stuff that you never did because you were saving money , buying a house , raising kids . That might be a decent holiday . Business class rather than economy . Stay in a really good hotel etc . Get a private tour rather than be a sheep on a bus .
I have talked to many older people about it and there are things that they go without themselves so that they will leave some money for the grandkids .
Trouble is that the grandkids don't appreciate it ( sometimes ) and blow the money anyway . I think at the least you should respect the gift and do something decent with it . In my view that money would be better off with a local charity .
In my case my Mum refused to spend money on herself which was pretty typical of her era . She was crook for a while and I had suggested to her many times to spend a bit on herself for a change . Us kids were all well grown up and and didn't really need the money but she wouldn't have it . So out of respect for her , I left it alone . I genuinely believe she was more comfortable with that thinking .
Let's just say it's just as well she wasn't around for the will reading though . Otherwise she may well have done things differently .
And then there's the people who miss out in the will . I have spoken to a couple of people who couldn't deal with this and consequently struggled for years after . Once the person has gone , closure is very difficult for some people . While it might not be intentional , some will writers can cause some massive problems afterwards .
