This Woman's Parents Threatened To Put Her Grandfather In A Home, So She Took Care Of Him – Now They Want Her Inheritance
Welcome back, y'all! Last time we chatted, we balked at the audacity of this boss who told his only female employee that she should smile more. In response, she started creepily smiling in meetings, and wondered if she was wrong for her retaliation. Now, I need your thoughts on this woman who took care of her grandfather during his last days, and her family who want in on her inheritance.
A24 / Via giphy.com
According to the granddaughter, who goes by u/aIt_throwthrow on Reddit, she grew up in a very strict, religious household where gender roles were rotted into their daily lives. Her grandfather hated that (understandably), so she grew close to him.
As time passed, her grandparents paid off their beautiful house – which features no neighbors, an expanse of trees, and a garden, mind you. But, her grandmother would eventually pass away and her grandfather's worsening back issues soon demanded regular attention and he was in need of a home aid.
"After my grandmother passed he got worse and ended up needing at home care," the granddaughter said. "He didn’t want a stranger in his home so that wasn’t an option... My parents preached that it was punishment for all his sins, so they wouldn’t take care of him and were planning on putting him in a home."
Writer's note: Wtf, mom and dad.
ABC / Via giphy.com
"I decided to stay with him since it would just be easier; my job can be worked effectively at home and he’d get care from someone who isn’t a total stranger," she said.
"In the time I took care of him, we filled the home with the love and laughter my grandmother brought to it. As my granddad got worse not a single call came in – not from my mom, or dad, or my brother. We were joking about it once and he said, 'Maybe I should just give you missy (the house's name) instead of your dad. He’s just gonna give it to your brother, anyway.' He laughed after he said that, so I assumed he was joking."
"Fast forward, the worst happened. I was the one who found him. Had to make the call. All of it. As much as I was pushed away from my parents, I didn’t want them to find out the news from a random person," she continued. "The funeral was the first time I ever truly connected with my parents in years. We hugged and cried together and we were all vulnerable. But then it came time for the will."
"Now it wasn’t some telenovela with all the dramatics, but it was intense. The house that was supposed to be my dad’s became mine, as well as many other things that my dad planned on giving to my brother."
ChloexHalle / Via giphy.com
"I was accused of manipulating my granddad into giving it to me and my brother was just yelling," she concluded. "A week later, my brother came to the house in tears. He was begging me to give him the house since his was too small for his wife and baby. He argued that because it’s just me and my husband and we don’t want kids, I don’t need it. I told him to leave and felt horrible."
"I feel like an asshole. He’s right, I don’t need the house. My job pays me good money and I could easily just live somewhere else. On the other hand, though, my granddad wouldn’t want him OR my dad to have it. I am at a loss here."
BBC / Via giphy.com
Though the granddaughter may be struggling with her decision, the comment section was steadfast: she's not wrong to keep the house.
"You took care of your grandfather out of love, expecting nothing in return. Your dad and brother gave nothing, and expected everything in return. Keep the house. Your grandfather made the right decision."
They believe that one of her grandfather's final wishes was to give her the home, and to give it to her brother would be insulting:
"Your grandfather wanted YOU to have it. That was his wish and he made sure it was in his will because that’s what HE wanted. You cared for him when your father and brother did not. He’s caring for you now. Don’t disrespect his wishes by giving up the house to your brother. That’s not what granddad would want."
And, if her family truly believed in the values they preach, one commenter cheekily pointed out the hypocrisy in their desire to take the home away:
"Aren't they Christians? Remind them of 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house.'"
But in all seriousness, the granddaughter's experience isn't an uncommon one. Throughout the comment section, others shared stories of caring for a loved one before they passed and inheriting their home. However, in their lives, their families didn't try staking unsubstantiated claims on the property:
"This is the reason that I inherited my family's over 100-years-old, 5-generations home. My grandmother inherited it and I took care of her for almost 15 years of brain cancer. I stepped up and put my future on hold for her because I loved her and she knew that. I'm from a giant catholic family. I have more than 1,000 extended relatives, many of whom were born in this house and many more that were raised in or lived here at one point. Not a single one of them tried to get me to give up my house. Nobody has ever even hinted that they think it's unfair that I inherited it."
"My sister wound up doing most of the caretaking for my mom because she lived local to her. If mom decides to give everything to her, I'd say she earned every penny she gets. So did you."
Readers offered her this advice:
"1. Change ALL the locks.
2. Install security cameras.
3. Do all the legal due diligence you need to make sure everything is in your name.
4. Create a will stating that should you pass and your husband is still alive, the house goes to him. If he is also gone, then the house goes to insert-your-favorite-charity.
5. Enjoy that house. Your grandparents WANTED you to have it. If they had wanted anyone in your family to get anything, they would have left it to them. You would be disrespecting and dishonoring your grandparents if you gave in to your family's demands.
6. Go no contact with your family. They are who they are. And you don't need them in your life."
