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Dad Accused Of “Robbing” His Kids Of Their Inheritance, The Internet Takes Dad’s Side
Dad Accused Of “Robbing” His Kids Of Their Inheritance, The Internet Takes Dad’s Side
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Dad Accused Of “Robbing” His Kids Of Their Inheritance, The Internet Takes Dad’s Side

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People in the world are so different and might lead completely distinct lives based on the part of the globe they are in. Some kids only have to worry about themselves and their new families when they grow up. In some other cultures, taking care of your elderly parents is a tradition.

It is also a tradition in redditor u/Quick-Teacher-3016′s family. But his kids decided on a different path. They refused to take care of him when he’s old, so the father was quick to react. He decided to keep his kids’ inheritance. Read the full story below.

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    Some people argue the family money should be passed on to children

    Image credits: arkhangelovaoksana (not the actual photo)

    The father in this family decided differently once his kids refused to take care of him when he’s old

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    Image credits: voronaman111 (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: Quick-Teacher-3016

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    In some countries, it is lawful to visit your elderly parents often

    Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)

    Was the father’s decision a chain of consequences? And a call to action? After all, most of the commentators on Reddit proclaimed him NTA. From the perspective of Western countries, the kids should be mostly responsible for themselves and their families. Many of the parents say it’s normal.

    It might be a shock if the kids say they won’t care for you when you’re old if it’s deeply ingrained in your country’s traditions, though. For example, China has passed a law not letting children of the family neglect their elderly. According to The Week magazine, “Offspring who fail to visit mom and dad often, regardless of how far away they live, face potential punishment ranging from fines to jail time.”

    Similarly to China, kids take care of their elderly parents in most of Asia. It is difficult to imagine such laws in Western countries, but France did in fact pass a similar law, requiring kids to visit their elderly parents. “It was only enacted following two disturbing events, though: One was the publication of statistics revealing France had the highest rate of pensioners taking their lives in Europe, and the other was the aftermath of a heat wave that killed 15,000 people — most of them elderly, and many of whom had been dead for weeks before they were found.”

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    Whereas in other parts of the world, the whole family lives together, counting in grandparents, children and their children

    Image credits: Johnny Cohen (not the actual photo)

    In some Latin and Mediterranean countries, like Spain, Greece, Brazil, and Argentina, people tend to live together as one big family – with grandparents, kids, and the grandchildren. If some people want to move out, though, it usually happens in later stages of life. For example, in Greece, contrary to other countries, like the Scandinavian ones, it is considered completely normal to live with your parents in your thirties or for the rest of your life.

    It is, however, a law in only a number of countries to take care of the elderly. And just like in today’s story, what are they supposed to do? It is probably only right to keep some of the children’s inheritance money for your own matters. The father in this family decided to travel to some places he’s always wanted to go. Maybe we shouldn’t only do fun stuff while we’re young, but also once we’re older?

    The commentators thought the father was not a jerk for keeping the inheritance

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    Kristina Korsakaite

    Kristina Korsakaite

    Writer, Community member

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    Kristina Korsakaite is a writer at Bored Panda. She is a psychology graduate from Edinburgh Napier University, though never worked as a psychologist. Living and working in Greece, Athens, she enjoys sun and sea more than anything. She is a strong advocate for animal welfare and her cat, Oliver is her pride and joy. A nice glass of freddo espresso and a plate of pastitsio will always put a smile on her face.

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    Kristina Korsakaite

    Kristina Korsakaite

    Writer, Community member

    Kristina Korsakaite is a writer at Bored Panda. She is a psychology graduate from Edinburgh Napier University, though never worked as a psychologist. Living and working in Greece, Athens, she enjoys sun and sea more than anything. She is a strong advocate for animal welfare and her cat, Oliver is her pride and joy. A nice glass of freddo espresso and a plate of pastitsio will always put a smile on her face.

    What do you think ?
    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. I already take care of my parents, and when Dad got his inheritance he straight up said he's going to travel. So we got him his first passport, and I've put my parents on two cruises so far: Los Angeles to Panama and Venice to Lisbon (mom's favorite stop was Cadiz, and dad's was Ibiza). Dad wants to do the Eastern Caribbean next. Honestly, I'm happy af to get them out of the house.

    Shane Hussel
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad has to spend his savings of 100k at 20k per month for long term care before he can get medicaid. Its not a case of care I could provide. He was upset he was spending my inheritance, but I told him I wasn't worried about it and he just needed to do what he needed to do. Similarly my grandma' had more than that in the bank and it all went to medical care in the last month of her life. Our medical system sucks. Nobody other than the rich should expect any inheritance today. Edit: this is how it works in the US

    mft760
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The medical system exists just to get the last of your hard work $ before you die. Obscene.

    Load More Replies...
    Rens
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inheritance is a privilege, not a right.

    Lace Neil
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When my granddad dies, I will receive an inheritance. But I don't want him to die, I want my granddad to live for years and years. Why would people rather have the money than the person? I love my granddad and no money could ever make up for not having him around.

    Betty Vanderhooven-SchmaaSchmaa
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pray he dies in his sleep while relatively healthy. Long term care and rehab after illness will mean the state gets it all.

    Load More Replies...
    Tyke
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand, if the intention is to pass as much of the inheritance down through the generations as possible, what's the point in it? His children who are so angry not to get their hands on are basically just gatekeepers of it for their children... so it never gets spent.

    Magpie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the comments said that generational wealth planning means the principle doesn't get spent, so I'm assuming that means that any interest earned during the time he has custody of the money is his. I also assume that the principle must be large enough to earn a healthy amount of interest, or family members would have decimated the principle years ago. This situation seems a bit like an oral contract, and his kids have already informed him that they have no intention of fulfilling their "contractual" obligations, thus the "contract" has been voided. He should do whatever he wants with his money, but definitely set up irrevocable trusts for his living expenses and bucket list, and a generation-skipping trust so that money goes to his grandkids, and their parents can't touch it.

    Load More Replies...
    Alexandra
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh for Heaven's sake! The dad inherited: it's his money to spend as he wants to. It's only an inheritance when he's dead. Use part of the money to travel while you can and the rest to pay for care when you are older. You should never expect your children to take care of you: that way disaster lies. Instead, decide yourself how you want to spend your time if and when you require care and plan accordingly. And again: it's only an inheritance after you die so the children will just have to wait and see what's left.

    Zakaar Bovus
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm all for breaking tradition and not being beholden by people long dead, BUT if you want to break one family or cultural tradition you can't expect to benefit from another.

    Moë
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    F them kids, my inheritance is the family Vudu password!

    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because of a schizophrenic ex-wife, I hadn't seen my daughter from the time she was almost six, until she found me at 28 years. She had three kids, a deadbeat now ex-husband in jail, and was living with her maternal grandmother. No future, no college. I immediately took responsibility, paid for her college ( she now has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology) and completely financially took care of all of them while she was going to school. And fifteen years later I'm still giving them about ten thousand a year, even though I had to take a medical retirement almost ten years ago. It's cost me close to 400k that I never planned for but fortunately I did ok in my career. Depending on how long I live, she should inherit from me at least seven figures in assets. Her mother, who was living in an assisted living arrangement, now had breast cancer (I haven't physically seen her for forty years), so she is now living with my daughter and her grand and great grandkids. And I approve.

    S Mi
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the kids aren't interested in traditional arrangements- caring for aging parents, why should he keep up inheritance tradition?

    Load More Comments
    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. I already take care of my parents, and when Dad got his inheritance he straight up said he's going to travel. So we got him his first passport, and I've put my parents on two cruises so far: Los Angeles to Panama and Venice to Lisbon (mom's favorite stop was Cadiz, and dad's was Ibiza). Dad wants to do the Eastern Caribbean next. Honestly, I'm happy af to get them out of the house.

    Shane Hussel
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad has to spend his savings of 100k at 20k per month for long term care before he can get medicaid. Its not a case of care I could provide. He was upset he was spending my inheritance, but I told him I wasn't worried about it and he just needed to do what he needed to do. Similarly my grandma' had more than that in the bank and it all went to medical care in the last month of her life. Our medical system sucks. Nobody other than the rich should expect any inheritance today. Edit: this is how it works in the US

    mft760
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The medical system exists just to get the last of your hard work $ before you die. Obscene.

    Load More Replies...
    Rens
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inheritance is a privilege, not a right.

    Lace Neil
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When my granddad dies, I will receive an inheritance. But I don't want him to die, I want my granddad to live for years and years. Why would people rather have the money than the person? I love my granddad and no money could ever make up for not having him around.

    Betty Vanderhooven-SchmaaSchmaa
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pray he dies in his sleep while relatively healthy. Long term care and rehab after illness will mean the state gets it all.

    Load More Replies...
    Tyke
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't understand, if the intention is to pass as much of the inheritance down through the generations as possible, what's the point in it? His children who are so angry not to get their hands on are basically just gatekeepers of it for their children... so it never gets spent.

    Magpie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the comments said that generational wealth planning means the principle doesn't get spent, so I'm assuming that means that any interest earned during the time he has custody of the money is his. I also assume that the principle must be large enough to earn a healthy amount of interest, or family members would have decimated the principle years ago. This situation seems a bit like an oral contract, and his kids have already informed him that they have no intention of fulfilling their "contractual" obligations, thus the "contract" has been voided. He should do whatever he wants with his money, but definitely set up irrevocable trusts for his living expenses and bucket list, and a generation-skipping trust so that money goes to his grandkids, and their parents can't touch it.

    Load More Replies...
    Alexandra
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh for Heaven's sake! The dad inherited: it's his money to spend as he wants to. It's only an inheritance when he's dead. Use part of the money to travel while you can and the rest to pay for care when you are older. You should never expect your children to take care of you: that way disaster lies. Instead, decide yourself how you want to spend your time if and when you require care and plan accordingly. And again: it's only an inheritance after you die so the children will just have to wait and see what's left.

    Zakaar Bovus
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm all for breaking tradition and not being beholden by people long dead, BUT if you want to break one family or cultural tradition you can't expect to benefit from another.

    Moë
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    F them kids, my inheritance is the family Vudu password!

    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because of a schizophrenic ex-wife, I hadn't seen my daughter from the time she was almost six, until she found me at 28 years. She had three kids, a deadbeat now ex-husband in jail, and was living with her maternal grandmother. No future, no college. I immediately took responsibility, paid for her college ( she now has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology) and completely financially took care of all of them while she was going to school. And fifteen years later I'm still giving them about ten thousand a year, even though I had to take a medical retirement almost ten years ago. It's cost me close to 400k that I never planned for but fortunately I did ok in my career. Depending on how long I live, she should inherit from me at least seven figures in assets. Her mother, who was living in an assisted living arrangement, now had breast cancer (I haven't physically seen her for forty years), so she is now living with my daughter and her grand and great grandkids. And I approve.

    S Mi
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the kids aren't interested in traditional arrangements- caring for aging parents, why should he keep up inheritance tradition?

    Load More Comments
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