Young man wins "life changing" amount of money, some family pressures him to share his winnings but he refuses, tearing the family apart: 'I can't stand the entitlement'

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Sep 2, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Money is a point of contention for everyone. No matter how steady you try to keep your head when you fall into a large sum, it becomes difficult and it's human nature. In this story, the protagonist is a 28-year-old man who comes into a life changing amount of money, so much so that he thinks he won't have to work another day in his life. He has his family over to celebrate his winnings, and to host them for eating and drinking. They come in with attitude he doesn't expect, and demand to know what he's doing with the money. He says that some is going to nieces and nephews, but they're not happy with his decision. 

In my family, money hasn't been so sundering as it is in this story. Of course, there have been disagreements, arguments, or confusion around it, but it's never gotten to this point. If you're wondering how the story ends, or what the internet thinks about the situation, scroll down below for the full details. 

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  • 01

    AITA for refusing to share in a life changing win?

    Man winning the lottery
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    To jump right into it, I (m28) won a SIGNIFICANT and life changing amount of money. Enough where
    via u/Ok_Confidence_9212
  • 03
    I would never have to think about work again and enough even for my family.
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  • 04
    My family includes: both my parents, my sister and her partner as well as my brother and his
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  • 05
    partner, as well as an array of niece and nephews. I also consider my mums best friend as part of the family.
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  • 06
    My intention was to share most of it, my parents could retire and live very comfortably and portions for
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  • 07
    Family together
    via Monkey Business Images / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    my siblings families and some set aside for my nieces and nephews future and some for my mums best friend.
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  • 09
    To the story: I organised for everyone to come to the house, have food and some drinks and go over what my plan was. As
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    people arrive, everyone says congratulations how happy they are and generally just being nice without expectation. My siblings have always been wealthier than
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    me, own their own businesses etc. Then my brother and his family arrives and before I could say hi, my sister in law says "how much you giving us then?"
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  • 12
    To say the least I was angry, regardless of whether I was sharing or not, this was my money.
    via u/Ok_Confidence_9212
  • 13
    As the evening went on, it kind of festered in me a bit and when we got to the discussion of what's happening with the money I said
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  • 14
    "I have set aside XXXXXX amount to the nieces and nephews as well as XXXXXX to each of you apart from SIL"
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  • 15
    Now there was some shock, my dad thinks that I was completely in the right, I have the money I decide where it goes. My mum on
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    the other hand thinks because my BIL got his own share, my SIL should too. For me, I can't stand
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    entitlement and how she presumed she was to receive something even though I hadn't said I was sharing.
    via u/Ok_Confidence_9212
  • 18
    So AITA? Was I petty? They still have a life changing amount from my brothers share, but my brother won't get involved with the matter.
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  • 19
    Lots of money
    via breeze393 / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • It's his money, and he has every right to do what he pleases with it. It can feel offensive when you're not chosen as someone close enough to receive part of the funds in this situation, but that's life.  

  • 20
    cassowary32 If this is real, your first mistake was telling anyone other than your
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  • 21
    lawyer/accountant about this money. Money never goes as far as you think it will.
    via u/cassowary32
  • 22
    Beautiful-Peak399 NTA, it's your money. However, I don't think holding a family discussion about it was a good idea as
    via u/Beautiful-Peak399
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    something like this was bound to happen. The only person you really need to be talking to is a lawyer or licensed financial adviser to
    via u/Beautiful-Peak399
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    help you manage your money for the long and short term. You need to be thinking about a will, setting up trusts, investments, etc.
    via u/Beautiful-Peak399

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family drama drama toxic lottery siblings money problems family feud relationships lol love family reddit thread red flag Reddit funny money win dating
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