Woman refuses to share $700k inheritance with family after years of mistreatment

 It's natural to help family when they've supported you, but when they've treated you poorly, it’s a different story. That's the dilemma one woman faced after receiving a substantial inheritance. Reddit user u/countTimely3205 shared her story about her strained relationship with her stepfamily and how they suddenly expect her to share the money she inherited from her grandparents.

The woman, now 18, revealed that she inherited around $700,000 from her paternal grandparents, along with a four-bedroom home in Boston and a small vacation house in California. She then described her life before the inheritance. "Several years ago, my mum married my stepdad who has four kids (17F, 14F, 10M) from his previous marriage and they have an additional two children (7F, 5M) together. We also have my step-nephew (1M) living with us." She mentioned that they lived a decent working-class life, supported by her stepdad, a construction worker.

However, she didn't fit in well with her stepfamily. She shared that her stepdad didn't like the fact that she wasn't related to him by blood and he ostracized her for being mixed race. She recalled what he used to do: "I only got £2 ($2.58) allowance per week even though I had to pay for public transport, I had to share a room but he turned the sunroom into a bedroom especially for my younger sister, and he wouldn't allow me to try out for a scholarship for a private school even though I could've easily passed because it would be 'unfair' to my siblings." Things got worse about two years ago her stepdad was arrested for "something awful." She explained that his arrest led to financial problems—including the expenses brought about by a new baby who had birth defects—and they ended up getting evicted.

"We had to move into a two-bedroom council apartment, with me sharing the largest bedroom with the two eldest sisters and my nephew, my other siblings sharing the other bedroom, and my mum sleeping in the living room," she stated. The 18-year-old also shared that her mother had to take up two minimum-wage jobs and she herself had to get a second job even though her exams were coming up. Despite the hardships, her mother continued to discriminate against the 18-year-old. She narrated, "She's fine with my stepsister staying home all day after dropping out of school. We can afford necessities like food and heating but we’ve had to cut back on basically everything else."

However, once the woman received her inheritance, her mother begged her to use it for the family. She refused. "The thing is, my father and his parents were American, while the rest of my family are English and don't even have passports, so it's not like they can live on the property," she explained. The 18-year-old plans to use the money for her studies and later to travel around the world and experience new cultures. She added that she had always wanted to open a cat cafe without worrying about money.

But her family wants her to sell the property that she inherited and buy a house in England for them and a second house for her stepsister and her son. "I promised I'd help them buy groceries and rent a better apartment, but it shouldn't be my responsibility to take care of them. It was my name in the will, not theirs," she expressed. "My stepsister is especially furious with me and says it's unfair that I get a 'fairytale' ending even though her life was harder than mine. Everyone thinks I'm ‘wasting’ my money on my wants and ignoring their needs," she concluded. She asked people on the internet if she was wrong. 

People in the comments advised her on what she could do in this situation. u/eitherdoor980 commented, "Your mom and step-family have been using you for many years and they just want to continue using you. I suggest you run away fast and enjoy your life. Your stepsister especially sounds atrocious so leave her far behind. If you do decide to help them (you said you would help them with rent and buying groceries), don’t let it be an ongoing thing." u/kronklasworda wrote, "Get out of that home quickly. Invest as much money as you can for your future, and good luck in college."

u/jacangeld shared, "You have already said you would help out with things like groceries and renting a better place (which is really kind and generous of you). At the end of the day, it's your money, and you're sensible to be investing it in your future and dreams. Best of luck!" u/thingonething commented, "See a financial advisor before spending all your money on trips and a cat Cafe. Houses are costly to maintain. You need to figure out your expenses and consider college/university. Don't rush to spend it all."