Dad removes son from his will following a family fallout, they reconcile right before dad passes, leading son to sue sister for his share of the inheritance: 'Jessie insists I should accept this as my punishment'

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
May 5, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

If you are on good terms with your parents, the last thing you want to talk to them about is inquiries about their will and inheritance. No one wants to come across as money-obsessed, especially not in front of those you care for the most, like your mom and dad. You want to believe that when the time comes, your parents will make the right choices and will not leave anyone behind, no matter what happens up until they get to the metaphorical finish line.

When parents reach a certain age, they might start bringing up their will themselves. What they plan on leaving to whom, how they intend to divide their belongings, and even ask each of their children if there is something they wish they could get. However, all of these conversations are usually worth nothing if they are not backed up by writing, by a legal document that ensures everyone gets what they are owed. Without it, the only thing one can expect is pure family chaos.

Advertisement

  • When the dad in the story below decided to remove his son from his will following a huge fight between them, he did not expect that decision to ever change again. But when the pair reconcile two years later, the father starts to bring up his wish to include his son in the will once again. Sadly, he doesn't do that in time, and when the will is revealed, everything ends up being left for his daughter. This leads to a complicated siblings' dispute, which ends in an unpleasant lawsuit.

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10501437440
    via Nejron

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "AITA for suing my sister over our dad's estate since I only just reconciled with my dad?"

    Two years ago, I had a falling out with my father that resulted in him altering his will to cut me out. I imagined we'd never speak again, but some
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 03
    family members organized an intervention that led to my father and I reconciling this past November. Dad I and attended therapy together, came to terms,
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 04
    and we both agreed neither of us were happy with cutting the other off. Late in February, we lost my father, and so I'm deeply thankful that we did
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 05
    manage to reconcile and reestablish our relationship. In all sincerity, I know I'd be depr_sed as h l if my dad had dd with my last words to him having been what they were.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 06
    Several times leading up to this, dad had said he would be reincluding me into his estate planning. He had brought this up not only with me, but with friends
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 07
    and family, and his attorney as well. Dad obviously did not expect things to go the way they did, so his will remained unaltered, with my younger sister receiving everything.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 08
    My sister "Jessie" is actually one of the people who worked to get dad and I to reconcile, and she was aware of his intent to write me back in, so I thought there'd be no fight.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 09
    However when I mentioned the idea of dividing the estate fairly between us, she became defensive and pointed out that the will was written to leave
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 10
    everything to her at the time of dad's passing, and since dad did not change his will, she cannot know for sure that dad did not want her to have everything.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10501437696
    via NoName_13

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 12
    I feel she's being selfish. I've tried to sit down and talk with her, making significant compromises as really I'm fine with her keeping his savings and home. I only want an AMC
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 13
    Eagle dad and I had restored together several years ago along with some gifts I had given him and a 50/50 split of his vacation cabin that Jessie doesn't even like. Jessie refused to
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 14
    hear me out. She said she plans to give the car to her husband's nephew, and even though the gifts | gave dad have almost no value, she wants to retain them.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 15
    I spoke with my dad's attorney who told me that I have a solid chance to dispute the will as there's a significant number of people (himself included) who were aware of dad's
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 16
    intents. Dad had also sent me text messages talking about his intent, as well, which at least included his desire that I should have the car. My dad's attorney
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 17
    would not represent me, as he believed it may result in conflicts, but he did introduce me to another estate attorney who's taken my case and is equally confident.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 18
    Jessie is furious. She says I'm selfish and that me spending a couple months with dad following nearly two years of quiet doesn't entitle me to anything. A few family members have
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 19
    joined Jessie, insisting I should accept this as my punishment for the extended fight I had with my dad in the first place. But the majority of our family is standing with me,
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 20
    and Jessie's own husband has said her behavior is problematic, although I've encouraged him not to speak with Jessie and I don't want to see friction between them. AITA?
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 21
    EDIT: To answer a couple questions that have come up. My father and I stopped talking to each other in 2022 following his separation from my mother. I let mom stay with
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 22
    my family during the separation and dad saw it as me taking sides. He threw out some vulgarities, I threw some back, and that was that. I did allow dad to see his grandchildren while we
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 23
    weren't on terms because I didn't think it'd be fair to them to lose their grandpa, but he just sort of opted not to. My dad's passing is unfortunately due to an
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 24
    overall bad lifestyle. Although dad was only fifty-six, he was having a lot of trouble with simple activities and been refusing to listen to his doctor. I do believe a large part of his motivation to reconnect
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 25
    with me was that he felt his time coming, and I am genuinely thankful that we had that opportunity. Jessie and I actually always had a great relationship. Even now, I'm not angry with her at all. She barely
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 26
    talked to dad either, mostly because he tended to spend his time with her sh talking our mom and I, but obviously she was still there for him for the past couple years.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 27
    Cheezburger Image 10501438208
    via pixelshot

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 28
    OldSaggytitBiscuits NTA, money brings out the ugliest traits in people. It's sad. I think you have a right to legally challenge this, but I would accept the outcome, whatever it is. At the very least, be grateful for the fact that you mended fences with your dad before he passed.
    via Throw_Away_12102024
  • 29
    Travellingone777 She's giving stuff to people who aren't even members of your family rather than to you? Wow. Yeah, sue her. You don't need her in your life, anyway, given that she's chosen to be so vile. NTA
    via Travellingone777
  • 30
    mackeyca87 YTA- if your Dad spoke to his attorney then it could have been changed then. But that didn't happen. Suing your sister who helped you reconcile with your Dad is an a hole move. Who is executor of the estate or will? Both you and your sister are focusing on money.
    via mackeyca87
  • 31
    Future-Flamingo8400 Get what you want. But you'll probably give up Jessie (who seems to be oddly unreasonable).
    via Future-Flamingo8400
  • 32
    NanaLeonie NAH. Maybe 'intended to change the will' is legal grounds to overturn a will where you live but where I live, you'd be flat out of luck.
    via NanaLeonie
  • 33
    Adorable_Tie_7220 I would just walk away.
    via Adorable_Tie_7220

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

family drama inheritance aita reconcile kids brother mother siblings reddit story will family sister Reddit money parents children Father
Scroll Down For The Next Article