'I had the legal right to': Dude sells treasured family heirloom for a quick buck, doesn't understand why family is upset

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Oct 27, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

A lot of times in life, whether or not you should do something has nothing to do with whether or not you can get away with it legally. Unfortunately, this is something the selfish and self-entitled narcissists of the world fail to understand.

It's surprising that you'd have to tell anyone this, to be honest. But, when someone leaves you to inherit a treasured family heirloom because they think that you're the most likely person to enjoy it, treasure it, and respect it, the general expectation of that person and the family at large would be that you wouldn't just turn around and sell that thing for a quick buck just because it's the most convenient thing for you to do at the time. Imagine King Arthur hocking Excalibur off just because he was tired of lugging it around.

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  • It's not yours. Sure, it's legally yours, but the whole existence of the "heirloom" thing is for the expressed purpose of denoting that something has sentimental or historical value to multiple generations of your entire familial unit. Your grandmother wanted you to have it because she felt a connection to you through that thing and your mutual love of music. But, still, you're inheriting that thing merely to be the custodian of it for that generation. If you need to get rid of the thing, then you're pretty much required to offer it to another family member for permanent or temporary safekeeping.

    Anyway, I'm beating a dead horse here. This poster already received resounding schooling from readers in the comments of the original thread where this story was shared when they shared their story, wondering why their family was upset with them for selling a treasured heirloom piano.

  • 01
    Property - "She wanted me to have it..."
    via Jon Tyson
  • 02
    Font - Posted by u/TrappedInTechLoop AITA for selling the family heirloom even though I had the legal right to do so? I've recently found myself in a whirlwind of family drama, and I'm honestly unsure if I've done the right thing. My great-grandmother left behind a valuable family heirloom - a vintage
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 03
    Font - grand piano. In her will, she bequeathed it to me specifically, stating that she wanted me to have it due to my deep passion for music. I've been playing the piano since I was a child, and she always appreciated my connection to it. However, my current living situation doesn't allow for such a large item. I
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 04
    Font - live in a small apartment in the city, and the piano has been in storage for the last 5 years, incurring monthly storage fees. Recently, I've faced some financial hardships, and after careful consideration, I decided to sell the piano. I used the money to pay off some debts and set aside a portion for my future, possibly for a down payment on a house.
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 05
    Font - When my family found out, they were furious. Many feel that the piano should've remained in the family and passed down to future generations. They argue that its sentimental value far outweighs any monetary gains. I understand their sentiments, but I also felt burdened by the costs of
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 06
    Font - storage and the practicalities of my situation. The piano wasn't being used or enjoyed, and I believed selling it was a beneficial decision for my future. So, AITA for selling the family heirloom, even though it was legally mine?
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 07
    Font - OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a Ole: The action I took: I sold the family heirloom, a grand piano, which was legally and explicitly bequeathed to me in my great-grandmother's will.
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 08
    Font - Why that action might make me the a✪le: I disregarded the sentimental value the piano held for many in my family. By selling it, I may have ended a potential family tradition of passing it down through generations, causing emotional distress and disappointment to family members who cherished its legacy.
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 09
    Font - Cutch35 YTA. Not for selling it, but for not telling/asking them first. You knew it had sentimental value to them. You should've told them you didn't want it anymore for the reasons you listed and then told them if they wanted it to stay in the family, they could buy it from you or else you'd sell it to someone else. I suspect they wouldn't have bought it and still would've been pod, but then they would've had the chance and it's on them, not you 19.9k Reply Share ●●●
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 10
    Font - MaybeAWalrus N TA for selling it. But YTA for not offering to sell it to a family members first. 7.2k Reply Share
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 11
    Font - Angelblade92 YTA - you should have informed them before you sold it, or at least offered them the chance to buy it first. You sold a family heirloom right from under them. It was left to you as your grandmother felt you had a passion for music and would get the mos enjoyment from it, but you left it in storage and then sold it off like it was nothing. Reply Share 3.1k
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 12
    Font - DarthCredence YTA. It was left to you because your grandmother thought you would be the one to cherish it. If you are not that one, then you should find the one who will. Now, you shouldn't be burdened with the storage
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 13
    Font - payments if you don't want the piano. But the right thing to do is to contact the other members of the family, and say that you cannot continue to store the piano. Offer it to anyone else in the family
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 14
    Font - who is willing to keep it around for the next generation. If no one took you up on the offer, then you could sell it with a clear conscience. But it appears you never gave anyone else in the family a shot. 42.2k Reply Share
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 15
    Font - KMK_Direct YTA, and also set yourself up for unnecessary family drama, not for selling the piano, but for not offering to sell to a family member as long as they could meet the price.
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 16
    Font - If you had taken that simple step, even if no one could met the fair market price, every time someone one came after you with the it should be kept in the family bit, you could throw back you gave them that option. You also would have no reason to ask AITA. 934 Reply Share ●●●
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 17
    Font - BigBigBigTree You should have given them the opportunity to buy it off you, dude. The fact you couldn't keep it isn't the problem, but to not even try to see if any of them would want to keep it in the family seems pretty s. If you had offered it to them and everyone refused, I'd be on your side. YTA. 491 Reply Share
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 18
    Font - spoopybunbun Info: did you ask anyone else if they wanted it before selling it? 443 Reply Share Longjumping Mud8290 They say in the post that the family only found out after it was sold, so no. 316 Reply Share
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 19
    Font - sawdeanz Obviously you are legally free to sell it, but it's also understandable why the family would be upset. I feel like usually you would give the family the right of first refusal, in other words give them the opportunity to buy it off of you. So, slight YTA for that reason. Reply Share 315
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 20
    Font - Acrobatic-Cover2712 YTA for not giving them a heads up. They may have been willing to buy it and make arrangements for it, and you took that chance from them 220 Reply Share ●●
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 21
    Font - devil1fish Yta for not checking with any of them before doing that. Wildly selfish. 168 Reply Share
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop
  • 22
    Font - LostinLies1 I feel like you're definitely the AH. Yes, it was left to you, but it was something that had been in your family for decades. At the very least you should have talked to your family members and let them make an offer on the piano. 126 Reply Share
    via u/TrappedInTechLoop

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family drama aita reddit story family feud etiquette entitled family reddit thread entitled people
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