Readers to the rescue

My daughter, a pharmacist, earns more than my son, a middle-school teacher. I am proud of them both but plan to leave most of my estate to my son. Am I being fair? --K., Richardson, Texas

Our reader says: Tell your children what you're planning and why. You don't want them to find out at the reading of your will and possibly cause friction between them at a time when they'll need each other most. --Nakia Haskins, Brooklyn

The expert says: What if your daughter becomes ill or your son wins the lottery? asks attorney Colleen Barney, co-author of the estate planning book Best Intentions. You won't be able to adjust your bequests to their changed circumstances after you're gone. But you can help the child who needs it most now: You can give up to $13,000 per recipient a year without triggering a gift tax.

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