Problems with inheritance can cause fights in the family and even long-lasting splits. This is exactly what happened to Bree. She thought she earned more of the money than her sister because she needed it more. Her sister said no, and what happened next caught Bree by surprise. She told the story to get help on how to deal with the situation.

This is Bree’s letter: “I’m a widow with twins, 3, and no job now. My sister is married to a rich doctor. Our parents will split the $40k inheritance, and I asked for her half also because I need it more. My sister said, “Don’t punish me just because you didn’t plan your future well!”
2 days later, her husband visited me alone. Things took a shocking turn when he suddenly handed me an envelope with a note that said, “Let’s keep this between the two of us”.
When I opened it, I found $40k in cash. I thanked him and told him that my sister did not deserve him.
The next day, my sister came knocking at my door. Somehow, she had found out what her husband had done and was now demanding her money back. I refused to give it to her, saying that it’s mine now.
Am I wrong?
Bree”.

Bree, thanks for telling your story. We have put together some tips that will help you get through this.

Get in touch with your sister.

Talk to your sister in an open and honest way about how hard it is for you to pay your bills now that you’re a widow with young twins. Tell them how the money they gave you could help you get back on your feet. This could help her see things from your point of view and lead to a more understanding conversation about the money, rather than making things worse between you two.

Get help from a lawyer.

Since your sister’s husband gave you the money, you should know what the law says about you. Talk to a lawyer to find out if the cash gift could be seen as a marriage asset or if your sister has a legal right to it. This could help you make smart choices and get ready for any arguments that might happen.

Look at your objectives.

Think about what will happen in the long run if you keep the money or keep the peace in the family. If you care about your friendship with your sister, you might want to try to work out a compromise, like giving her some of the money back over time. It’s possible that this will help ease tensions while still meeting your immediate financial wants.

Do something about the fight with both of them.

The secret is out, so you need to talk to both your sister and her husband at the same time. Ask them to be honest about their points of view, and try to find an answer that works for everyone.

You should make it clear why her husband gave you the money and how things have gotten worse. Clearing this up as a group can help avoid more trouble and clear up any mistakes. This is especially true if his actions were meant to help you out without causing a family fight.

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