Father leaves some sons less than others

DEAR AMY >> Should I tell my children ( ages

19 and 21) that their father has elected to bequeath them half of what he is bequeathing their three half- siblings — aged 32, 37 and 39?

The siblings are close and have a strong bond. They all love their father.

This information only came to light recently at our divorce trial, during my husband’s testimony. He was answering questions posed by his own law yer.

I’m shocked and heartbroken, but I don’t think I should tell our children.

It somehow feels wrong. Some friends disagree.

I need some sage advice.

— Caught in a Dilemma DEAR CAUGHT >> No, you should not discuss this estate matter with your sons. Fresh into a divorce from their father, it is information that is easily misunderstood or misinterpreted.

Importantly, your soonto- be ex could change his mind ( and change his will) repeatedly as time goes on.

Also, unless this becomes a matter for the court to decide in your divorce proceedings, how your ex divides his estate post- divorce is not your business. And it is not your sons’ business.

I’m going to speculate on your ex’s possible motivations, and of course you and/ or your lawyer could tr y to communicate with him about it. Hearing his reasons for doing this might help you to understand and accept his choice.

It occurs to me that he is making an assumption that since he is ( perhaps) surrendering half his income — and other assets — acquired during his marriage to you ( in the divorce), you will also be leaving your assets to your sons after your death, so additional wealth will eventually be passed to the sons through you.

Will you divide your estate equally with your sons and their half- siblings? I presume not, but you should think about this.

Because of the differential in their ages, he may be tr ying to take into account the “time value” of the money for the younger sons — in short, because they are younger, they will have their wealth longer and can grow it larger than their older siblings.

Treating children evenhandedly doesn’t always translate into treating them equally. Misunderstandings and fights over money can do irreparable damage to family relationships.

Do your best to have a peaceful divorce. Always encourage your sons to maintain their close sibling relationships — matters of wealth aside, they are all very lucky in this regard, and this should always be the most important thing to you.

DEAR AMY >> I’ve been seeing a girl for a few years now. We both have busy schedules and tr y to juggle to see each other, although probably not enough to make us both happy. We have a very intimate relationship, and we tell each other how much we love each other.

But then something happened. I wanted to see her this week and she suddenly wasn’t available for the whole week.

After I pressed her on why I couldn’t see her I found that her ex- boyfriend, whom she used to live with, was staying in her studio apartment with her. Also, she just left for a two- week camping trip with the same friend and they’re sharing a two- person tent.

She swears they are just good friends, but I am so hurt and jealous.

My gut tells me they are still intimate. She swears they’re not. What do I do? She gets very defensive when I tr y and talk to her about this.

— Wondering Boyfriend

DEAR WONDERING>> Your girlfriend gets defensive because she has something to defend her choice to spend overnights and vacations with her ex- boyfriend, instead of with you

All of this is somewhat immaterial, however. She is choosing to create communicative distance from you, and also to physically leave you, because she prefers to be with someone else.

She and her friend are definitely intimate — in that she is privately connected with him, as well as excluding you in the process.

Given all of this, does it really matter whether they are also having sex?

DEAR AMY >> I appreciated the letter from “Contented,” who basically described my own life of being raised in an alcoholic and abusive home.

I understand that people who have had “normal” childhoods may not understand how painful this is, as well as what a relief it is to finally say “goodbye” to these relationships.

I did it and I’ve never looked back.

— Survivor

DEAR SURVIVOR >> It’s hard to qualify what a “normal” childhood actually is. Many people need to sever ties, in service to their own mental and emotional health.

Contact Amy Dickinson via email at askamy@ amydickinson. com.