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Dad Steals Inheritance From Teen Daughter, Shocked When She Comes Back For It As An Adult
Young woman sitting on stairs looking pensive and upset, reflecting on stolen inheritance and family court dispute.
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Dad Steals Inheritance From Teen Daughter, Shocked When She Comes Back For It As An Adult

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We all hope our family relationships will be simple and supportive. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

One woman found herself in the middle of a deeply uncomfortable situation. After her mother passed away when she was a child, she was left a $100K inheritance. But as a teen, her father used that money to start a business with his new wife, essentially stealing it from her.

Now an adult, she decided to fight for what was rightfully hers and took him to court. She doesn’t regret the decision—though now she’s asking: was it heartless to leave his new family with nothing?

RELATED:

    The woman went on a mission to win back the $100K inheritance her dad had taken from her years ago

    Image credits: Meg / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    But now she’s questioning whether it was right to leave his new family empty-handed

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    Image credits: Ron Lach / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: ComplaintNatural5528

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    Image credits: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Almost 70% of families lose part of their inheritance due to some kind of conflict

    Your family might be the most supportive, loving, and tight-knit group around, willing to go through hell and back for each other. But when it comes to inheritance? That’s when things can get messy. You never really know who might turn on you.

    Sometimes, it could even be your own father, like in the story above.

    While it may seem dramatic, family inheritance disputes are far from rare. In fact, research by the Williams Group, spanning more than two decades, found that nearly 70% of families lose a portion of their inherited wealth, mostly due to arguments and estate battles.

    And honestly, it’s not all that surprising. When grief, emotions, money, and family heirlooms collide, it creates a powder keg of tension that can explode at any moment.

    So is there anything you can do to reduce the risk of family fallout?

    According to FindLaw, a resource for legal information aimed at consumers and small businesses, there are a few steps that won’t eliminate every possible fight, but they might help minimize the damage. Here’s what they suggest:

    Prepare a will and keep it updated

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    It sounds obvious, but a shocking number of people pass away without ever writing a will. And that often leads to chaos.

    A clear, updated will is one of the simplest ways to avoid confusion and prevent unnecessary conflict. It outlines what goes to whom and why.

    Some things to include:

    • A list of what your heirs will inherit (property, valuables, etc.)
    • The name of a legal guardian if you have minor children
    • Any wishes to disinherit someone
    • Whether part of your estate should go to charity

    Depending on your situation, you might want an estate planning attorney to help guide the process, especially if you’re planning for specific needs or circumstances.

    What happens if you don’t leave a will?

    A lot of people avoid writing a will, whether it’s because it feels uncomfortable or they assume their family will work things out fairly. But that’s not always how it plays out, especially in complex families with former spouses, multiple kids, or extended relatives.

    Without a legal document outlining your wishes, your estate is divided according to state intestacy laws. That can result in disputes, confusion, and broken relationships.

    Talk to your family in advance

    If your family has generally stable dynamics, it can help to have an open conversation about what to expect after you pass.

    It doesn’t have to be dramatic or morbid, it can simply be about setting expectations. Surprising loved ones with major decisions in your will, like leaving everything to charity or cutting someone out, rarely ends well.

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    Being upfront helps prevent disputes and gives your family space to process everything without added shock or resentment.

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    Consider a no-contest clause

    A “no-contest clause” in your will can discourage relatives from disputing its contents. In short, if someone challenges your will and loses, they could also lose their inheritance.

    People may contest a will for reasons like:

    • Feeling unfairly excluded
    • Believing someone manipulated or pressured you
    • Claiming there’s a more recent version
    • Alleging fraud or forgery

    These clauses don’t always hold up in court, so it’s smart to make sure the rest of your will is solid too.

    Don’t put it off

    The best time to make a will is sooner rather than later.

    Even if you don’t have many assets, basic estate planning can make things easier for those you leave behind. Online forms are available, though people with significant assets might benefit from legal guidance.

    Adding documents like a power of attorney or health care directive can also help ensure your wishes are followed—before and after you’re gone.

    The woman later shared more details in the comments

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    Some readers felt she was completely justified in her actions

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    While others believed leaving the family with nothing was morally wrong

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    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Oleksandra is an experienced copywriter from Ukraine with a master’s degree in International Communication. Having covered everything from education, finance, and marketing to art, pop culture, and memes, she now brings her storytelling skills to Bored Panda. For the past five years, she’s been living and working in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Oleksandra is an experienced copywriter from Ukraine with a master’s degree in International Communication. Having covered everything from education, finance, and marketing to art, pop culture, and memes, she now brings her storytelling skills to Bored Panda. For the past five years, she’s been living and working in Vilnius, Lithuania.

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    I am a Visual editor at Bored Panda, I'm determined to find the most interesting and the best quality images for each post that I do. On my free time I like to unwind by doing some yoga, watching all kinds of movies/tv shows, playing video and board games or just simply hanging out with my cat

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    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a Visual editor at Bored Panda, I'm determined to find the most interesting and the best quality images for each post that I do. On my free time I like to unwind by doing some yoga, watching all kinds of movies/tv shows, playing video and board games or just simply hanging out with my cat

    What do you think ?
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    ghost gurl
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only ppl saying YTA are people who would steal money from their own kids inheritance and use it for themselves.

    moggie63
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Give daddy's address to the yta's, they can send him money.

    marcelo D.
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this, you tell them "if you are so worried about their children not having money, you are free to give him yours".

    Load More Replies...
    TheMFKNXerdo
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thieves are always "but muh kids", "but muh religion", "but muh upbringing" and never pay. Screw them.

    Load More Comments
    ghost gurl
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only ppl saying YTA are people who would steal money from their own kids inheritance and use it for themselves.

    moggie63
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Give daddy's address to the yta's, they can send him money.

    marcelo D.
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this, you tell them "if you are so worried about their children not having money, you are free to give him yours".

    Load More Replies...
    TheMFKNXerdo
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thieves are always "but muh kids", "but muh religion", "but muh upbringing" and never pay. Screw them.

    Load More Comments
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