Wills, Wealth, and Race

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Aubry J P, Wettstein Gal, Munnell Alicia

Primary Institution: Boston College

Racial gaps in inheritances are likely to exacerbate racial disparities in wealth.

Black and Hispanic decedents and those who die without a will are less likely to achieve their bequest expectations.

Racial gaps in inheritances are documented.
Black and Hispanic decedents are less likely to have a will.
Expectations of leaving significant bequests are not met by Black and Hispanic decedents.

This study shows that people of different races have different chances of leaving money behind when they die, especially if they don't have a will.

The paper documents racial gaps in inheritances and analyzes the relationship between bequest expectations and realized bequests.

Focuses on Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White decedents.

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