Squabbles over family inheritance can break the bonds between siblings indefinitely. Siblings may feel they’ve been wronged or treated unfairly. A young man who felt wronged by his parents asked on the forum, “Am I wrong for not wanting to give my wealthier sister the lion’s share of the inheritance?”
Here’s the whole story.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
One day, the original poster’s (OP) parents sat OP (31 M), his two brothers (32M, 34M), and his sister (41 F) down to discuss their will. Their parents told them they wanted to split their money five ways; the sister gets 2/5 while the three brothers get 1/5 each.
WHY DID THE PARENTS GIVE A HIGHER SHARE TO THE SISTER?
The parent reasoned that their daughter “sacrificed” her childhood for the family, so it’s only fair she gets compensated.
During OP’s childhood, his father’s business partner duped him, so there was a period when they were broke and in debt. OP’s parents had to work multiple jobs to keep the family afloat, and his sister babysat the younger brothers while their parents worked.
OP BELIEVES SISTER DOES NOT DESERVE THE LION’S SHARE
“All she had to do was feed and keep an eye on us. We were pretty calm kids, so all we did was play games and do our homework. It probably wasn’t thrilling, but not a tremendous hardship,” he says.
WHAT DID OP DO?
OP and his brothers complained to his parents that it’s insane they want to give their sister 2/5 of the inheritance over that, especially since she’s financially the best off out of all the kids. “She doesn’t have any kids and a dual income with her partner,” says OP.
HOW DID THE PARENTS REACT?
OP’s parents said they were disappointed in us and said we needed to reflect on ourselves.
WHAT DOES THE SISTER HAVE TO SAY?
“My sister didn’t say anything while the parents spoke but texted us afterward that she had zero intention of taking 2/5, but we were all wrong,” says OP.
Asks OP, “Am I wrong for feeling like this split is unfair?”
Here’s what the people had to say about this inheritance issue.
SHE DIDN’T HAVE TEENAGE FREEDOM
“Yes, you are wrong. Even if she just stayed home while you were there, she didn’t have teenage freedom, made sacrifices, and took on responsibilities. It doesn’t matter how affluent she is now; your parents are trying to pay her back for what they couldn’t pay her then.”
MAYBE, THIS IS WHY SHE DIDN’T HAVE KIDS
“Plus, those years COULD be a major factor why she chose not to have kids/doesn’t have kids yet. She already raised her siblings! Yes, you are wrong.”
YOUR LOWER INCOME IS NOT YOUR PARENTS’ PROBLEM
“Yes, you’re wrong. Your failure to make as much as her isn’t your parents’ problem.”
HARD TO BELIEVE YOU WERE CALM
“But OP and his brothers were all totally calm! How dare anyone think that maybe, just MAYBE, babysitting three brothers eight years her junior was actually much harder than any of them remember?”
OP DOESN’T HAVE CLEAR MEMORY OF HIS CHILDHOOD
“Yeah, I don’t think OP clearly remembers every argument his sister had to arbitrate. Every meal she prepared for them. Every injury she took care of. And on and on. Even well-behaved children are exhausting to take care of. Imagine being a teenager being tasked with that burden for the good of your family. Good on her for stepping up.”
Parents REFUSED To Give Daughter “Grandchildren Money” AFTER She Decided To Be Child-Free. Are They Punishing Her? We Don’t Think So!
Is an adult child entitled to her parent’s savings? Do the parents have a right to reallocate their savings for another purpose? Check this post out to know the questions on the mind of a 58-year-old father and is he wrong for not giving my daughter the money that was reserved for my grandkids?
Parents Stole From Daughter’s “COLLEGE FUND” To Pay For Son’s Wedding And Now The Daughter Is Suing Them. Is She Wrong?
Women face discrimination in terms of education in many countries around the world. So, it would mean the world to such a woman if she got the opportunity to go to college without student debt. But what if the people you trust take this opportunity away from you? Find out what happened!
To-be Bride Tells Her Future MIL That She Has No Say In Her Wedding Dress Choice. MIL Thinks She Is Kidding But We Think The Bride Is Correct.
Wedding dress shopping can be a fun affair. It can be a day you spend with the people you are closest to while celebrating this momentous occasion. Unfortunately, it can also turn into a problem if the people with you do not have your best interest in mind. Here’s what happened.
Husband Keeps Correcting Wife’s Grammar. Says, “She Is A 4th Grade Teacher and It’s Her Job To Know Better” – Is This Suffocating Behavior or Is He Right?
Are you a grammar nerd? If you often find yourself mentally correcting the spellings on a menu or fighting the urge to teach your friend the difference between ‘their’ & ‘there,’ you may belong to this group of grammar nerds. But should you correct people’s grammar if they haven’t asked for help? . Read more here!
Brother Decides To Drive and Pay For His Own Hotel On Vacation JUST To Avoid Babysitting Sister’s Children. Is This Right?
Vacations are a time to relax and have fun. So what do you do if your family expects you to help with babysitting while on a family vacation? Is the brother wrong for saying I’ll be driving myself and paying for my own room on the upcoming family vacation so I won’t have to be a babysitter? Read more here!
Anika Jindal
Anika is a CPA and founder of What Anika Says. She shares simple and actionable frugal living, money management and money-saving tips to live a debt-free financially independent life. She has been featured on popular websites like Bankrate, Forbes, Mint ,and Authority Magazine. Byline: MSN