Aunt demands her sister pay back a $20,000 loan fronted for an IVF procedure, but the entitled new mom guilt-trips her to let it go: ‘That was my savings for a down payment'

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Oct 28, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

There comes a time when every family member must make a decision between their relatives and their own well-being. A woman went viral in a story online when she had to make a decision that would rock the foundation of the entire family, particularly her sister and new mom to twins. After struggling to conceive naturally, the sister begged her sibling to front the cost of her $20,000 IVF procedure, but after the miracle babies were born, time passed, and the loan was forgotten… But not by the one who was out $20k!

Perhaps if it were a smaller amount like $600 or maybe $50, the new mom's debt could have been exonerated, but after bankrolling her dream of becoming a mom, this aunt wasn't prepared to eat the cost herself. While she loved her new nieces, $20,000 was enough money to cover a down payment or even a more reliable car. But apparently that was money that she'd never see again, unless she pushed her sister a bit harder. 

Keep reading for the dramatic family tale that drove a $20,000 wedge between sisters, and the baby miracle that started it all. 

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  • Mom looking back at her baby in the carseat.
    via Prostock-studio

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

  • Two years ago, my sister (34F) asked me (31F) for $20K to cover IVF costs. I don't make crazy money, but I'd just inherited from our late grandfather, so I agreed, with a written agreement that she'd pay me back within 3 years.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • She got pregnant, had twins, and I was genuinely thrilled for her. Fast forward: it's been two years, and she hasn't paid a cent.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • She recently posted about buying a new SUV "for the babies." I gently reminded her of our agreement.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • She said, "Come on, you wouldn't take money from your niece and nephew's mouths, would you?" I said, "No, but I'm also not their parent.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • You are." Now she's crying to our family that I'm "heartless" for caring more about money than her miracle babies.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • My parents are begging me to "let it go," but that was my savings for a down payment.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • AITA? TL;DR: Loaned sister $20K for IVF, now she's guilt-tripping me into never asking for repayment.
    via No-Pilot2258
  • LdiJ46 You have a written agreement. You can either do what your parents are begging you to do and let it go or you can sue her, which is probably the only way you will ever see your money back. Or, you can tell your parents to pay it back for her if they don't want her to get sued.
    via LdiJ46
  • Difficult Art9717 NTA. Babies are miracles, not financial black holes you throw your sister's savings into. She asked for a loan, not a donation.
    via Difficult Art9717
  • Trick_Parsley_3077 So I presume your Parents will happily pay you back for your Sister's $20.0k debt, since keeping the Peace is So Important in the name of Family... Right? NTA, No Money, No Honey hand them the demand for fully payment! Good Luck!
    via Trick_Parsley_3077
  • lilianic NTA. Get your money back now. Your sister probably never had any intention of repaying you though.
    via lilianic
  • AllyLB The babies don't need an SUV, she just wants one. Get your money back. If your parents want to help her buy an SUV, that's on them, not you.
    via AllyLB
  • DutchDweeb If it was 500 maybe, but 20K is NOT an amount for just 'letting go' Wtf
    via DutchDweeb
  • InteractionNo9110 you have a written agreement she pays or you sue her. This is why we don't loan money to family. As Oprah says if you give money to family treat it as a gift. They never want to pay it back.
    via InteractionNo9110
  • AcanthisittaNo9122 NTA. Find a lawyer and press legal charge, I think if you have her chat asking to borrow that $20k then you're good to go. Your parents are ridiculous, you can fake serious illness and ask them $22k for treatment and if they don't give it to you then you tell them you will press legal charge on your sister, hold them hostage, they clearly have a fav child and it's not you.
    via AcanthisittaNo9122
  • BriBanana Bread NTA, use that agreement and get your money back. It wasn't a gift, no matter what your sister tells herself.
    via BriBanana Bread
  • Ineedcoffeebadly NTA. Take her to court, you have proof.
    via Ineedcoffeebadly

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family drama dads famiies drama kids brother siblings moms parenting loan dad story family sibling sister IVF stories parent mom cousins parents
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