It would be next to impossible to quantify but what about gifts given before death or a child given a free education by their parents vs one who took out loans? I'd like to buy my daughters first house. It's not inheritance but it sure as hell would make it easier for her to amass wealth without a 30 year mortgage than with. The purpose of the gift would be so that it does set her up better for later in life. If she proves to be too irresponsible to handle it like the person GFGT is referring to, I won't buy the house.
I'd say gifts given before death are like an early inheritance. I also plan to help my daughter with her first home after college. I want to do all the things my mother didn't do for me and my sister.
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