Maybe your friend is dissipating his estate to avoid estate tax liability. Last year, my parents gave my brother and me significant amounts of money - which we did not ask for or expect - after they sold inherited property and did not want to keep the money in their estate.
I would think you were right- except he complains about supporting her! It is her mother who insists on keeping her in the style she was raised in, and he goes along to keep mama happy. I have no issue with people willingly helping their kids- or giving their kids what ever they want to give them, and I do understand people giving children their inheritance or part of it while living- but I do see a growing trend of parents continuing to pay for expenses for their grown children- it is as if they feel this generation shouldn’t have to pay their dues or start from the bottom and work up to home ownership, etc.
We are helping a grown daughter get through nursing school after her divorce, and I think that is fine- but if any of our children want a nice home, etc. they will have to earn it for themselves or marry someone that can provide what they want. This trend of supporting grown children is just odd to me.