“My mom would only leave them a penny. “
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When my beloved husband and I updated our wills our attorney advised us to leave my youngest son $100 so he couldn’t contest it in court.
Some states allow one dollar as the lowest amount to avoid issues.
Some will say if it’s contested you get nothing at all.
We wanted to make sure he had no legal leg to stand upon.
Hence, the one dollar in my comment.
Yes, I would have left my youngest without a penny, if I had my way. If I satisfied my own way, though, the estate would have to pay to fight the case in court and I did not/do not want any chance of him winning anything in or out of court.
Another option is to give what you can to the one you intend on keeping in the will, is to give a yearly amount.
I think you can do $14,000 /year tax free per child and from each parent.