Aita For Not Giving My Cousin My Grandmother’s House After She Passed
A Redditor shares a family dispute over the inheritance of a house. After his grandmother’s passing, the Redditor, a 27-year-old man, inherited her 4-bedroom house in Atlanta, which she had almost lost due to unpaid taxes.
Decades ago, he aided her in clearing her balance using $1,500 from a college reimbursement. At present, his relative, a solo parent to two offspring, is displeased and insists that he should bequeath the home to her, given that he is childless.
The Redditor feels that his grandmother’s wishes should be honored and that his cousin’s situation isn’t his responsibility. Despite this, many family members are siding with his cousin, calling him selfish. Read the original story below to see how the tension developed.
‘ Aita For Not Giving My Cousin My Grandmother’s House After She Passed’
I am a 27-year-old man, and my grandmother has recently died. Her will stipulates that I inherit her four-bedroom, two-bath house. Leading up to her death, my grandmother was at risk of losing the house due to outstanding taxes. She sought assistance from several relatives, but none offered support. At the time, I was a college student and had a sizable student refund.
She requested $1,500 from me to resolve the outstanding balance. She expressed her gratitude, and we never revisited the subject. Ultimately, I couldn’t bear the thought of my grandmother being without a home. This occurred approximately eight years in the past. Now, I currently possess a residence located in the center of Atlanta, and it is, in my opinion, a highly desirable property. My intention is to relocate there towards the month’s end, after which I’ll undertake some minor tidying and improvements. At this point, my cousin and her offspring appear.
She’s angry at me since I received the house. She believes that because I don’t have children, I should hand over the house to her, as she sees it as though I obtained it without any effort. I initially dismissed her as irrational, but many of our relatives agree with her. They argue that it’s particularly challenging for a single mother in the current circumstances. They’ve suggested that I, being a healthy and capable young man, will have the opportunity to purchase a house in the future.
It will present more challenges for her, given that she’s raising two children. However, it was her decision to have them, and I don’t believe it’s my responsibility. I’m being labeled as self-centered, and perhaps that’s true, but my grandmother specifically wanted me to inherit the house. Am I in the wrong here?
Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:
mohagthemoocow − NTA, where was she when granny was about to be homeless??
spinx7 − NTA. It’s your house, I hate the narrative that people who don’t have kids should roll over to give people with kids anything and everything they want
Featherymorons − NTA. Your gran left you the house. It’s yours. Your cousin has absolutely no right to it. Why should having kids make her more eligible for it than you? Don’t even bother to engage in any further conversations with anyone about this.
midnightsrose77 − NTA. Depending on where in Atlanta, property taxes can be an [expletive redacted] and struggle. If your cousin wasn’t able to help your grandmother out in her time of need, what makes her think she’ll be able to afford property taxes, utilities, &tc., now? Enjoy your new home, OP!
puppydancer − NTA. If they want your cousin to live in a house so bad they can let her and her kids move in with them. Your grandmother left the house to you. If your family keeps harassing you just tell them that you’re respecting your grandmother’s last wishes and leave it at that. I’d recommend that you change the locks on the house ASAP just in case any of them have a spare key to it.
dtat720 − NTA. So, outside perspective… Did your grandmother really need to back taxes money? Or, is it possible she reached out to family to see who among them would be willing to help without question? You were the only one who did so without hesitation or demands. You got the house. Seems Granny was testing the waters while deciding what to do with her personal affairs
Tiffy_the_Doc − NTA. Her having kids does not entitle he to the house left to you. If your Nana had wanted her to have it, she would have given it to her. I am so sorry for your loss. Don’t let anyone guilt you out of your inheritance.
AbbyBirb − Nope, NTA. Grammy already knew exactly what was up! Where were your cousin & the rest of the family that is now on her side when Grammy was about to lose her house & you were the only one to step up then?! Are they all disabled single moms who cannot help?!
That family, if they truly desire your cousin to receive the necessary assistance, should absolutely provide their own residence for her and her children to utilize.
____ Family: “You ought to let your cousin have your house…”
You: “Hmmm… let’s consult Grammy on this matter.” *retrieves the will from pocket*
BeeYehWoo − NTA. You need to respect your grandmother’s wishes. She WANTED you to have the house. Tell your cousin she can take it up with granny as to why she didnt get the house. It will be just as hard for you to buy a house, real estate is expensive. You have the upper hand. Just weather the storm of insults and criticism from disgraceful family and cut out those who are too much to bear. Sorry to hear about your grandmother. NTA
ManufacturerHuge2197 − NTA. What if you end up having kids one day?? Keep the house, tell them to f**k off. If they originally wanted the house then they should have spent more time with grandma and asked her for it
Was the Redditor incorrect in upholding his grandmother’s will, or does his cousin’s position hold merit considering her obligations as a single parent? What would your approach be when facing familial strain in a similar circumstance? Let us know what you think!
