What's unique about Kentucky inheritance law? (buying a home, buying, legally)

[RobertFisher]

I was watching a video, and the blogger says "if you are interested in buying a home in Kentucky and leaving it to your kids, read up on the Kentucky inheritance laws..." Blogger did not further elaborate.

So it seems there is something unique about KY's inheritance laws relating to houses. What is it?

[Oldhag1]

Kentucky is a Dower and Curtsey state - one of the few left. That means a spouse must sign away their right to any real property, you don’t just get to decide to only leave it to your kids. Even if you write a will specifically saying they can’t inherit the property, but are not legally divorced from them, the spouse can renounce the will and request their dower rights or can charge “fraud on the dower” if manipulations are done to hide the assets.

It’s really complicated and if you seriously need to understand it, rather than just being curious, you need to talk to an actual lawyer.

[Moreyhead]

I would suggest that you go to the KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE website and search for INHERITANCE TAX.

[RobertFisher]

Originally Posted by Moreyhead

I would suggest that you go to the KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE website and search for INHERITANCE TAX.

I did do a rough scan on the inheritance laws; seems quite normal -- 1/2 goes to spouse, the rest goes to descendants or parents. This is consistent with what's reasonable.

The vlogger made it seem like there is some weird policy worth digging out.

[Oldhag1]

Originally Posted by RobertFisher

I did do a rough scan on the inheritance laws; seems quite normal -- 1/2 goes to spouse, the rest goes to descendants or parents. This is consistent with what's reasonable.

The vlogger made it seem like there is some weird policy worth digging out.

What makes it different is that even with a will you can not give your property just to your children.