Neglected Daughter Collects Her Deadbeat Dad’s Final Gift, Sets Fire To Family’s Financial Plans

Inheritances are a mixed blessing mingled with grief: even though you stand to win financially, this happens by losing a loved one. On top of that, suddenly getting a vast amount of wealth, property, or assets has the potential to flip some of your closest family relationships upside down. The sad reality is that some people are going to be envious of what you stand to gain, as they feel that they ‘deserve’ it more.

Redditor u/Common-Growth-6333 opened up to the AITA community about how she inherited half of the apartment that she currently lives in after her father passed away. She plans to keep the money from the sale; however, this is something that her mother is against, as she wants all the cash to pay for renovating her house. Scroll down for the full story. Meanwhile, Bored Panda reached out to the author for comment, and we’ll update the article once we hear back from her.

Inheriting property or money can fracture some relationships due to envy

A woman appearing distressed, holding her head while sitting on stairs, reflecting on money and family apartment share issues.

Image credits: Rawpixel/Envato (not the actual photo)

A woman opened up about how her mom tried to pressure her into giving up her share of the inheritance

Text excerpt discussing keeping money from parents' apartment share.

Text about a last memory of a father with parents arguing; planning to keep money from an apartment's share.

Text discussing family dynamics and living in a rental apartment in Tallinn. Keywords: parents' apartment, money.

Text discusses plans to sell parents' apartment and use money partly for brother's new car.

Text about inheriting money from parents' apartment after father's passing.

Inheritance news about owning 50% of my parent's apartment in Estonia after discovering a will.

Text about keeping money from share of parents' apartment for a home in Tallinn.

Elderly woman with short gray hair and glasses, contemplating financial planning for her parents' apartment share.

Image credits: astrakanimages/Envato (not the actual photo)

Sibling conflict over apartment share with parents explaining independence expectations.

Text about sibling conflict over sharing apartment money inheritance.

Text questioning if taking 50% of parents' apartment sale makes someone an AITA.

Text discussing a notary's update on an expired will related to an apartment inheritance situation.

Handwritten will from 2006 about leaving an apartment for child support.

Text about estate planning and inheritance decision, mentioning a will and questioning a personal choice on inheritance share.

Image credits: Common-Growth-6333

The author always felt like she was treated worse than her stepbrother

Image credits: Rodrigo Pereira/Unsplash (not the actual photo) 

In her post, which got 4.1k upvotes and over 560 comments, the author opened up about how her mother and stepfather always seemed to prefer their son over her. So, she started valuing her independence more and more.

“My mother already had a new partner, and not long after giving birth to the long-awaited son, he got everything: name-brand clothes, new phones, and even if my parents wanted to say ‘no,’ he cried and still got what he wanted,” u/Common-Growth-6333 writes.

Whether we like the idea or not, parental favoritism is quite common. According to recent research conducted by the American Psychological Association, parents tend to secretly have a favorite child, most usually their daughters or children who are agreeable, conscientious, responsible, and organized.

“For decades, researchers have known that differential treatment from parents can have lasting consequences for children. This study helps us understand which children are more likely to be on the receiving end of favoritism, which can be both positive and negative,” lead author Alexander Jensen, PhD, from Brigham Young University, said.

There are various ways in which parents can show favoritism. For example, by how much money they spend on their children, as well as how much (or little) control they exert over them. As per the study’s findings, parents were more likely to give older siblings more autonomy.

Broadly speaking, children who receive less favorable treatment tend to have poorer mental health and more strained family relationships.

Parental favoritism can lead to strained relationships within the family

Image credits: Derek Thomson/Unsplash (not the actual photo) 

“Understanding these nuances can help parents and clinicians recognize potentially damaging family patterns. It is crucial to ensure all children feel loved and supported,” Jensen explained.

“The next time you’re left wondering whether your sibling is the golden child, remember there is likely more going on behind the scenes than just a preference for the eldest or youngest. It might be about responsibility, temperament, or just how easy or hard you are to deal with,” he added.

The BBC notes that this sort of differential treatment can lead to poor sibling relationships, feelings of inadequacy, and less positive relationships with one’s parents.

That being said, things aren’t completely rosy for the so-called ‘golden child’ either. “You might expect being a favourite child to come with many benefits, however, it can also cause emotional distress for adult children,” explained Megan Gilligan from the University of Missouri.

“We have found favoritism to be associated with higher depressive symptoms for favored children. We believe that this is because being a mother’s favorite child creates conflict in their favored children’s relationships with their siblings. We have found that this tension with siblings in adulthood is consequential for psychological well-being.”

What are your thoughts about the entire tense situation between the young woman and the rest of her family? Do you think she’s right to enforce her boundaries and keep her share of the inheritance? Why (not)?

Have you ever had relationships fracture over inherited property or money? Have you ever been a victim of parental favoritism? Let us know in the comments.

The author interacted with a lot of internet users who shared their thoughts

Reddit discussion on keeping money from parents’ apartment share. Comments debate fairness and responsibility.

Reddit discussion about keeping money from a share of parents’ apartment inheritance.

Bitter-Paramedic-531 and Common-Growth-6333 discuss keeping money from parents' apartment sale in online comments.

Discussion about keeping money from parents' apartment shares, involving family dynamics and financial disputes.

Reddit comments discussing keeping money from parents' apartment share, mentioning house renovations and financial planning.

Reddit discussion about rights to apartment inheritance, involving lawyers in Finland and Estonia.

Reddit discussion about keeping money from share of parents’ apartment.

Reddit comments discussing inheritance and a sibling relationship regarding parents' apartment.

Text screenshot discussing inheritance rights and entitlement to parents' apartment money.

Reddit discussion on keeping inheritance money from parents’ apartment sale.

Reddit users discussing inheritance and share allocation of a parent's apartment.

Reddit discussion on inheritance, sharing money from parents' apartment, and family dynamics.

Discussion on inheritance and keeping money from a parent's apartment sale.

Reddit comment discussing fairness in sharing money from parents’ apartment, mentioning child support concerns.

Here’s what some other readers said about the tense family drama

Reddit comment discussing money plans related to parents' apartment, advising legal action against harassment.

Reddit comment advising on fairness in keeping money from a parents' apartment share.

Comment advising to keep inheritance money and cut ties for a better life.

Reddit comment discussing keeping money from parents' apartment share.

Reddit comment discussing karma and inheritance from parents' apartment.

Reddit comment discussing keeping money from parents' apartment sale, calling the poster NTA.

Reddit comment advising to keep money from parents’ apartment, suggesting family doesn't care; user supports the decision.

Reddit comment: Discussing if keeping apartment share makes them an "A"; another replies it's about being a homeowner.

Comment discussing inheritance and keeping a share of parents' apartment money.

Comment discussing inheritance rights and keeping money from parents' estate under Finnish law.

Reddit comment discussing family dynamics and inheritance issues.

Comment advising legal consultation about selling parents' apartment, highlighting permission and involvement.

Reddit comment discussing keeping money from a parents' apartment inheritance, expressing supportive sentiment.

Comment advising to keep money from apartment share, saying "NTA, take the money and block them," with 5 points.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!