OMAHA, NE— In a rare piece of advice that will likely be taken to heart by the upper crust of society, Warren Buffett, the billionaire philanthropist and “Oracle of Omaha,” has recommended that all parents—“whether they have modest or staggering wealth”—allow their adult children to read their will before signing it.
“Be sure each child understands both the logic for your decisions and the responsibilities they will encounter upon your death,” Buffett, 93, wrote in a letter published Monday. “It’s a crucial element of passing on not only wealth but also wisdom.”
Warren Buffett suggests, who has amassed a staggering $150 billion fortune over the decades, went on to explain how essential it is that children are well-prepared for the inheritance process, particularly in the face of growing family dynamics and the inevitable squabbles over assets.
“I want to ensure that my children are not blindsided when I kick the bucket,” he stated, adding that for most families, transparency is key to avoiding family disputes and helping heirs accept their responsibilities with grace.
However, not everyone is in agreement with Buffett’s sentiment. Mitch Vasquez, 91, a self-described “father of the century ” from the Midwest and owner of a 1987 RV, plans to take a different approach entirely when it comes to his 14 children.
“I’m not giving my kids the luxury of reading my will. They’ll get what they get—if they’re lucky,” Vasquez said, lounging in the front seat of his ‘vintage’ RV, which he lovingly refers to as “#15.”
“They’ve been asking about my homemade waffle maker & my other stuff for years, but let me tell you—this thing right here? This RV’s the only thing they’ll need to fight over.”
Vasquez, who claims he doesn’t have the kind of wealth Buffett boasts, admits that his net worth is, in fact, negative, but he’s not deterred by the advice of the “Omaha Oracle.” “The real treasure is the love I’m leaving behind in the form of 14 souls,” he added, gesturing to a stack of unpaid bills and expired insurance papers. “And if they can’t figure out how to make my RV run, well, that’s on them.”
When asked about his decision to leave the RV to his children, including “even the retarded ones,” as he put it, Vasquez shrugged nonchalantly. “If they can’t figure it out, at least they’ll have a heaven of a story to tell.”
Vasquez’s children, who are reportedly spread out across various states & prisons, are said to be “less than thrilled” with their father’s inheritance plan. “I’d rather have some savings or, like, a house,” said Esmerelda, 76, who has recently started a TikTok channel promoting the value of using front lawn auto parts as a sign off redneck wealth.
Meanwhile, Buffett’s advice continues to be widely praised across financial family planning circles. “Warren’s on point, as always,” said Linda Tanton, a personal wealth advisor based in Boston. “It’s about communication. Leaving behind clarity instead of confusion can ensure that your legacy lives on and that your children don’t end up fighting over things like a broken-down RV.”
Vasquez, on the other hand, is undeterred by Buffett’s polished advice and continues to tell his children to “figure it out for themselves.” “I love my kids, even the dumb ones that wear helmets. But I’m not handing them a silver spoon, not even a plastic ones, they might hurt themselves.”
As for Buffett, he remains committed to ensuring his wealth is passed down with wisdom, while still taking every opportunity to remind people how much money he’s got. “Look, if you’re worth $150 billion, you don’t have to make a ‘modest’ decision. You can tell your kids exactly what they’re going to get—and they’ll thank you for it,”
Buffett mused with a grin. “The rest of you poors’… just remember that you still need to plan your estates—preferably without the RVs.”
In a surprise twist, Buffett expressed a desire to meet up with known “vampires” in Canada—a reference to a recent social media post, where he teased an “perhaps I won't need to use my will at all.”
In a world where inheritance can be as complicated as the families that receive it, Warren Buffett’s advice and Mitch Vasquez’s alternative approach leave us all wondering: Should we really be putting our trust in wills, or just hoping for a sweet ride and a few good memories?
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