Dear Eric: Recently my parents shared how their estate will be divided when they pass. They have worked hard and lived a modest life, and it goes without saying that they are entitled to do as they please with their estate.
In sharing how they intend to divide their estate, my parents informed me that I would not receive a share since “I don’t need it because I’ve been successful.” Instead, their estate will be divided among my siblings and the portion that would be mine will go to a charity of my parent’s choice. Incidentally, said charity is counter to my belief system but the gift would be in my name.
This feels like a blow in a relationship I’ve worked hard to maintain, and I struggle with how to proceed. I was adopted as an infant; I’m black and was adopted into a white family. They are deeply religious and I am not. I have struggled with feelings of belonging in this family and in terms of race I often felt unheard and misperceived…