OP (Original Poster) turned to Reddit after he faced the dilemma of following his late relative’s instructions or helping his siblings in need. How should he move forward?
A Huge Inheritance
OP inherited almost $500,000 from a late relative. However, the money came with conditions.
His Relative’s Instructions
Before OP’s relative passed away, he was instructed not to share a cent of the inheritance he would be receiving with any of his siblings.
His relative seemed to believe that they “didn’t deserve it” because they “never helped take care” of said relative, unlike what OP did.
They Could Use the Money
They came from a poor background, and OP believed his siblings could all use the money.
He said, “They are all living paycheck to paycheck or living off government assistance.”
Guilt Is Eating at Him
OP shared that he felt terrible for not sharing the money. After all, the money was enough to get him out of debt and secure a future for himself and his children.
Torn Between the Two
OP doesn’t know what to do.
He asked, “So should I share some of the money with my siblings or do as my late relative asked and not share with them?”
What the Community Has to Say
The community tried to reassure OP that he was not an a**hole.
One said, “Not the a**hole. If you want to help them, you can do that with your own money, which you’ll save 100% if you use the inheritance.”
It’s Your Responsibility to Honor Your Relative’s Wishes
People also tried to remind OP that the money wasn’t his, to begin with, so he should honor the wishes of the person who gave him the inheritance.
“Not the a**hole. It’s not your money, or not ‘just’ your money. You need to honor the wishes of the relative who gave it to you,” commented one user.
You’re Not Responsible for Your Siblings
Some also reminded OP that he is not obligated to keep his siblings afloat.
A Redditor wrote, “You need to decide whether it’s more important for you to take care of yourself or your siblings. Make sure you will be happy with that choice after you make it. Technically, you’re under no obligation to be financially responsible for your siblings. What is the reason why the relative you inherited money from thinks your siblings are undeserving?”
More Pieces of Advice
Apart from reminding OP that he should respect his relative’s wishes, this Redditor also advised him to set himself up for lasting success.
He said, “Not the a**hole. The deceased person gets to choose what is done with their money. You should respect their choice. I wouldn’t tell your siblings that you inherited it if you have the choice, or otherwise, keep the exact amount unknown to them. It’ll only hurt their feelings. If they question it, just fall back on respecting what the deceased person wants and specifically wrote in their will. They wrote the will while knowing exactly what your siblings were living through. Also, consider getting a financial advisor to help you spend that money in the most efficient way. Set yourself up for lasting success.”
Odd One Out
One Redditor also advised OP to do the “decent thing.”
She said, “Your relative is dead. Your siblings are not; they are living paycheck to paycheck. Your comparably wealthy relative complained that they weren’t there for them? While they are just making a living? That sounds petty and ignorant, given the little context. So do the apparently decent thing, and don’t indulge in this resentful way of thinking. Share the money.”
What would you tell OP to do? Should he follow his late relative’s wishes?
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This post first appeared as He Inherited $500,000 From a Late Relative Who Instructed Him to Never Share It With His Siblings Because They “Didn’t Deserve It.” Should He Follow Their Wishes? on Quote Ambition.
