Old man leaves $50k inheritance and 3 bedroom apartment to neighbor instead of his bio kids, they threaten the neighbor to “do the right thing”: “Give us the apartment”

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
May 10, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen of the internet. We all would love to be given a large inheritance. I always find stories like that insane, where some high schooler's grandpa just leaves them an enormous fund after they pass away. What is someone so young supposed to do with that kind of money? I had a friend in high school who came into a great fortune after a family member passed, and to be honest I think it sort of ruined his life a bit. He stopped trying in school, he just didn't care about his future anymore. He got a financial adviser to invest for him, so he used that base amount to just make tons of money every year, but his life was empty. He didn't have to work, he didn't have to really do anything. These days, I don't know where he is or what he's doing, but the moral of the story is that money corrupts people. 

In the story below, it's about inheritance and money, but it didn't go to the family. An old man passes and instead of leaving his fortunes and assets with his children, he leaves it to his neighbor, a man who's been there for him while he's old and lonely. His children live far away, so this is part of it, but you'll have to read the full story for all the juicy details. 

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  • 01

    AITAH for refusing my late neighbor's adult kids his house after he left me most of his inheritance?

    Cheezburger Image 10503258112
    via Monkey Business Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I had a neighbor, Grappa, who was more like family than just the man next door. After my dad d d when I was 4, he became a huge part of our lives, constantly helping my mom and me – financially and emotionally. Grappa's own kids lived states away and hardly ever visited, maybe 10 times in 24 years.
    via Reddit

  • It's a little evil of this old man to give his neighbor his inheritance. I understand that he's close with his neighbor, and that his children live far away, but they're still his children. They're related, and maybe his children live far away because he hasn't been the best father, but I don't know. 

  • 03
    He was lonely, and I became the closest thing he had to a grandson.
    via Reddit
  • 04
    In the last few months of his life, things got really bad. He lost control of his body and couldn't speak anymore. My mom moved in to care for him after doctors recommended house care, and I was there every day after classes.
    via Reddit
  • 05
    His kids didn't even show up until he was in the hospital, 3 weeks before he passed. After he did, they stayed at his house while we waited for the will to be read (the lawyer had already sent notices, and I was initially surprised I received one)
    via Reddit
  • 06
    I was floored when the will revealed Grappa left me his 3- bedroom apartment in the city (which he had bought some years ago as an investment and was renting it out) and $50k, while his own kids got $75k and his personal possessions. The kicker? Grappa
    via Reddit
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10503258368
    via Terroa from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    willed his house to be sold, with the money going to charity and his grandkids' college funds. They were livid and had a meltdown instantly but couldn't contest the will because it was watertight.
    via Reddit
  • 09
    After the reading, his kids approached me privately. They told me to "do the right thing" and give them the apartment. They even offered me $50k under the table to hand it over, saying it was their rightful inheritance. I refused the ridiculously low offer.
    via Reddit
  • 10
    They then became vulgar and threatening, and rather personal about my mom's relationship with Grappa. I wasnt actually willing for all these complications, and I was actually thinking of a favorable negotiation. This was the last straw that broke my back. I told them to go f themselves, I'm keeping it.
    via Reddit
  • 11
    One of them threatened to go public (for what idk but she is a reporter), smear my reputation, and make it seem like I and mom manipulated a lonely old man into giving me everything.
    via Reddit
  • 12
    I'm holding my ground, and now they're accusing me of taking advantage of him. Friends and even some family members are telling me I should've just taken their offer to avoid drama. I told them to f right off too. I've lawyered up, just in case, and have kept records carefully. Am I selfish? Am I greedy? AITAH?
    via Reddit
  • 13
    Pretty865-Artwork NTA If she "goes public" you can sue her for defamation and get all her inheritance.
    via u/Pretty865-Artwork
  • 14
    _iron_butterfly_ NTA - It would be disrespectful to not abide by his last testament. My husband and I are in our mid- 40s. The person/people who help care for us in our old age... will inherit a fortune and a house.
    via u/_iron_butterfly_
  • 15
    Cybermagetx Nta. They didn't want to deal with him but wanted his money. No one is entitled to anything after thier parents ("..
    via u/Cybermagetx
  • 16
    If they go public speaking with a lawyer and sue for slander/libel (depending on what they do).
    via u/Cybermagetx
  • 17
    INHERITANCE
    via Andrii Yalanskyi from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    missing_themou... Stop responding. Keep records of the threats. Send everything to your lawyer.
    via u/missing_themountains
  • 19
    [deleted] NTA. If the will is airtight, the apartment is yours. Unless you intend to live in it, you might want to sell it. Depending on the city, HOA/condo dues and taxes can be pretty intense.
    via Reddit
  • 20
    Normally, I would urge you to give his heirs a right of first refusal. But they have been beastly toward you and do not merit the courtesy.
    via Reddit
  • 21
    Also, you mentioned that one of tbr daughters is a reporter. Did she make her threats in written, verifiable form? If so, then consider contacting the editor in chief or program director (or similar exec) at the place where she works
    via Reddit
  • 22
    and let them know she is threatening to use her position as a reporter as leverage in a dispute with you. Media execs LOVE it when reporters do that....
    via Reddit
  • 23
    Global_Monk_5778 NTA. Tell them "he was not my blod but he was my grandpa. My mother was his daughter. We loved him and cared for him for decades. which is more than can be said for any of you lot. You've crawled out of the woodwork
    via u/Global_Monk_5778
  • 24
    to pick over his estate and you're being greedy about it. This isn't love, this is greed. Go and report that and leave us to grieve our loved one in peace, or I'll report you for harassment." I'm sorry for your loss OP
    via u/Global_Monk_5778
  • 25
    ItsJasmineDior Legally, you have every right to keep what Grappa left you. Morally, the situation might seem more nuanced. While you could argue that you're not obligated to give up the apartment, it's also worth
    via u/ItsJasmineDior
  • 26
    you could argue that you're not obligated to give up the apartment, it's also worth considering how to balance your legal rights with maintaining family harmony and managing any potential fallout.
    via u/ItsJasmineDior

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