The $200,000 down-payment dilemma: Gift the cash now — or make your kids wait for the will

Site SearchClearSEARCHAdvanced Search ➔Search ResultsSymbolsNo results foundAll NewsArticlesVideoPodcasts0 ResultsNo Results FoundAuthorsNo results foundSectionsNo results foundColumnsNo results found Outside the BoxOpinion: The $200,000 down-payment dilemma: Gift the cash now — or make your kids wait for the willGiving your adult children their inheritance early might be the only way they ever own a home — but be careful not to be overgenerous at your own future expenseLast Updated: March 27, 2026 at 5:25 p.m. ETFirst Published: March 27, 2026 at 8:20 a.m. ETShareResizeListen(9 min)Parents may want adult children to wait for an inheritance. But young adults often have other ideas. Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphotoOver 25 years of helping people plan for retirement, I’ve observed many successful baby boomers facing the same question: Should I help my kids buy a house, or let them figure it out like I did?The tension is real — and often tears families apart. Show Conversation (0)Back To TopA Dow Jones CompanyCopyright © 2026 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie NoticeArchive MarketwatchCustomer CenterContact UsNewslettersNewsroom RosterVirtual Stock ExchangeMarketWatch GuidesCopyright PolicyManage NotificationsCancel My SubscriptionCompanyDow JonesCode of ConductCorrectionsReprints & LicensingDigital Self ServiceYour Ad ChoicesCorporate SubscriptionsAccessibilityDow Jones NetworkThe Wall Street JournalBarron'sInvestor's Business DailyFinancial News Londonrealtor.comMansion GlobalDow Jones Smart MoneyIntraday Data provided by FACTSET and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by FACTSET. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.