Single mom inherits house from grandparents, refuses to allow her cousin, also a single mom in financial struggles, to move in with her: ‘She's essentially a stranger’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Nov 14, 2025 3:00 PM EST

People who found themselves in unfortunate situations and managed to get out of them might feel the need to help others who were in the same situation. That's why there are thousands of podcasts out there led by people who successfully got themselves out of debt, or experienced moms who have so many tips to share with those who are only now starting their parenthood journey.

As much as one might want to help pull other people out of the same situation they struggled with, it's still impossible to help everyone. And if one doesn't want to end up exactly where they started, they have to set boundaries, both for themselves and the people they are trying to help.

The single mom in the story below really wants to help her cousin, also a single mom, with her unfortunate situation. She got evicted, and she and her baby need a place to stay. Since the single mom was in a similar situation before, she would have loved to help, but she couldn't just open up her home. Mostly because this cousin is someone she hasn't really talked to in years, and she has her own kids to take care of.

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  • 01

    AITA Cousin wants to move in my inherited house, I said no

    My half-sister (30F) and me(33F) inherited a house from our maternal grandparents. It's in a Trust along with a substantial amount of money for home repairs and upkeep.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 02
    A woman standing in front of a big house
    via ProjectB

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

  • 03
    I pay utilities, home insurance, and taxes. I live in the house with my 3 kids (16M, 11M, 4F) and my sister recently moved away to live with her boyfriend in another state.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 04
    Her bedroom is empty besides her bed she didn't take with her. I technically share a room with my 4 year old.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 05
    It's a room with a nook, the nook is my daughter's space. It's pretty tight, and I'm also a light sleeper, so I wake up for every little noise my 4 year old makes.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 06
    One of my sons is AFAB so they cannot share bedrooms. My sister said that I could move into her room, but obviously she would need it back if her and her boyfriend broke up.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 07
    They've been together a couple years but were long distance until she moved in with him a few months ago, so she wants to be able to come back if they aren't compatible.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 08
    I have no issue with moving back to my room if that happens, I just want to enjoy having a room to myself for however long I can.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 09
    My cousin on my father's side recently called me. I am estranged from my father's side, I haven't spoken with them or seen them in 18 years beyond social media(comments on pics here and there).
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 10
    My father is a deadbeat. My cousin and her baby got evicted. Her baby daddy got arrested for some petty crime and she only works part time.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 11
    It is very hard to find low income housing in this state. She asked if she can move in temporarily until she can get into low income housing.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 12
    I told her no. She's essentially a stranger. She thinks I'm being cruel and selfish, and as a mom how can I let her and her baby be homeless... I am sticking to my decision because that side of my family has never been there for me.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 13
    I was raised by a single mom and her parents gave the help my father should have.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 14
    House Facade
    via House Facade

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

  • 15
    Plus I don't want a stranger living with my kids. Am I wrong? Edit: I accidentally somehow double posted.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 16
    I deleted the other one. Also, she can't move in with other family on that side because they live on the other side of the country.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 17
    Her baby daddy's mom lives in a senior housing complex, so can't let cousin stay, but babysits the baby while cousin works.
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 18
    Adelucas So a woman you barely know is demanding to move into your house? That's a no from me dog. you have a family and a sister who might need an escape room at some point. Let the 4 year old use your sisters room. If she needs to come back you can work something out. You are under no obligation to house or help someone you haven't seen for the best part of 2 decades, especially one you know has made terrible life choices and is going to bring those choices into your home. There's a reason she
    via Adelucas
  • 19
    OP Mysterious-Type-9096 Her mom would take her in but lives on the other side of the country. I think that's what my cousin is going to end up doing, but she doesn't want to be too far to visit her baby daddy with the baby. And her MIL lives in a retirement community so she can't stay there, but the baby is babysat by MIL. That side of the family isn't very large, and all live far away from each other. I don't even know what state my father lives in currently... the only one who occasionally rea
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 20
    TheWidowAustero2 If she's essentially a stranger why do you care what she thinks? NTA
    via TheWidowAustero2
  • 21
    OP Mysterious-Type-9096 I care because when I was a young mom, I had escaped a bad relationship with my oldest child, and had to rely on family, and it was a distant relative who helped me the most. A great aunt on my mom's side that is kind of a hermit (she doesn't even have internet or a smartphone and only comes to visit family for Christmas) was the one to give me a place to stay, even though I barely knew her. I know what it's like to have a small child and have housing insecurity. I wouldn
    via Mysterious-Type-9096
  • 22
    destro23 >move in temporarily until she can get into low income housing. The wait for low income housing near me is over two years. NTA
    via destro23
  • 23
    Where WeretheAdults NTA. This sounds like a dumpster fire waiting to happen. Protect your peace (and your kids).
    via WhereWeretheAdults
  • 24
    Diasies_inMyHair Inherited house is an extraneous detail that isn't really relevant. It's your home. It is never a good idea to let someone you don't really know move into your home - especially whe you have young children. Especially when that person has a history of eviction and bad relationship choices.
    via Diasies_inMyHair
  • 25
    Automatic_Job_8270 Follow your instincts
    via Automatic_Job_8270
  • 26
    RavenclawPrincess99 NTA. You don't even hear from her for 18 years, and now she expects bed and board for her and her baby? That is a big favour even if you were close which you aren't. The house wasn't even inherited from her side of the family so she has no claim to it
    via RavenclawPrincess99

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family drama inheritance aita drama house mother reddit story entitled family daughter Reddit home cousins entitled people
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