Q&A
Paula’s inheritance could change her life, but ...
Please don’t give $400k to your 13-year-old son
Q I’m 39 with two children, aged 19 and 13 and I’m on a disability support pension. My husband works one day a week and is my full-time carer – he receives carer’s payments from Centrelink. I’m saddened to say that my dad passed away in May and my mother passed away in early June. I lost both of them in just 17 days. My hurt is beyond words.
After the sale of my parents’ house, I would inherit about $400,000. I simply cannot refuse to take this money, but if I accept it Centrelink will stop my DSP and my husband’s carer payments. My monthly prescription medication for my disability is $153 plus regular doctor visits.
My 19-year-old daughter is not talking to us and can’t be trusted since she left us to move to the US. She is married and has no plans to come back to Australia. Can I give my son all the funds without affecting our Centrelink payments? Can I put my inheritance into my husband’s super since I don’t work? I still have my super with REST. I used to work at a department store but due to my disability I quit last year.
Paula, you have been having a tough time. My commiserations about losing both your parents, in particular in such a short period of time. We have three children, now in their 20s and 30s, so I can also imagine how distressing a rift between parents and a child must be. As your daughter matures, my hopes are that you are able to reconnect in a positive way. Then on top of that you have had to retire from work due
