The brother took to popular Subreddit “Am I the A**hole” to gain opinions on his polarizing dilemma. He explained that his sister and parents did not have a “good relationship” while the parents were alive and his sister even left home at 16.
He stayed with his parents and remained neutral in their tumultuous relationship but admitted the parents were “unfair.” He wrote his parents worked with lawyers to ensure the sister was legally kept out of their wills.
“My dad died from cancer six years ago and my mother had dementia. She died last year. I took care of them until they sadly passed away. As I said they did something with some lawyers and put the house and other stuff in my name when they got sick so my sister wouldn’t have anything,” he wrote.
“Yet when my mother died I offered my sister to give her half of what my parents gave me but she refused and said she didn’t need anything from them.”
The splitting of an inheritance is one of the main causes of financial-based squabbles between siblings, according to research. A study conducted by financial services company Ameriprise in 2017 found that only 15 percent of people reported conflicts with siblings over money, but of those that did, nearly 70 percent of the arguments related to their parents. Most involved how an inheritance should be divided.
The brother has spent the money he received from his parents and now lives in their former house, spending money to fix it up. He added that he opened a local bakery, which is “not doing good.”
“My sister contacted me to ask me for the money I offered before because she has debts and she needs it. I told her I can’t give it to her anymore because I have debts too and I am counting on using the money,” he wrote.
“She called me and told me her children will be homeless if I don’t give her the money. I feel bad but I can’t help her now. I have some money from the heritage but as I said I’m counting on that money to pay my own debts.”
Despite the brother’s hesitations and doubts over his choice, Reddit users were left supporting his refusal to give money to his sibling, and encouraged him to stand firm.
“If you actually offered it to her and she refused, you have no obligation to her now,” wrote one user. “Especially if you really need it.”
Another agreed, citing the initial offer of the money as a main reason. “You even offered and she initially refused. Your parents wanted you to have these assets. I think if you didn’t need the money, then maybe you could help but now you can’t and your sister if the a**hole for guilt tripping you like that.”
“You offered, and when she said no, you were entitled to make plans for the money she refused, but if you have a decent relationship with your sister, it’s probably worthwhile to see if there’s anything you can do to help, whether that’s a little bit of money or letting them stay with you for a while or something,” reasoned a different Reddit user.
Newsweek reached out to u/wonderfull-life1837 for comment. We could not verify the details of the claims.
